Belisarius xambeui Simon, 1879

Common names:
No common name. The taxonomic position of this species is unclear. It has been placed in several other families previously, and is now placed in the family Troglotaoysicidae together with another troglophilic species, Troglotayosicus vachoni.

Distribution:
Europe (endemic in the southeastern Pyrenees in France and in Catalonia in Spain).

Habitat:
This is a troglophilic species which lives in quite high altitudes (650-1500 m). Its is seldom found deep into caves, but rather occupy cave entrances. It can also be found under stones etc., and in connection with abandoned man-made structures like collapsed chimneys, cellars and castle ruins.

Venom:
No information, but probably no medical importance.

Selected litterature:
Kovarik, F. (2000). Cave scorpions. British Tarantula Society Journal, vol. 16 (1), pp. 21-22.
Auber, M. (1959). Observations sur le biotope et la biologie du scorpion aveugle: Belisarius xambeui E. Simon. Vie Miliee, 1959, pp. 160-167.

On the Internet:

General:
This is the rarest scorpion i Europe, which few have seen. This species lacks eyes and pigmentation, which is typical for many cave-living animals. This species is 3-4 cm long, and has a pale yellow color (almost translucent).

This species is reported to have a litter size of 5-14.

It is hard to say how rare this species is in nature. Some sources say it is quite common in some areas, others say it it quite rare. I think this scorpion is protected in Spain.

The species is very rare, and is very rarely kept in captivity (a few peoples in France and myself have kept this species).

Belisarius xambeui photo by Serge Mallet (C).