Scientists Discover New Scorpion Species Hiding Beneath a Single Rock in Thailand’s Protected Forest

A team of researchers found a never-before-documented scorpion species small enough to fit on a human thumbnail under a rock near their campsite inside one of Thailand’s most biodiverse national parks.

The Discovery

The species, formally named Scorpiops krachana, was described in a study published in the journal ZooKeys on March 6, 2024. Zoologist Wasin Nawanetiwong and colleagues from Chulalongkorn University and partner institutions authored the study.

The research team collected four specimens — three males and one female — from beneath a single rock resting on moist leaf litter near a seasonal stream inside Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park. The scorpions were found in a transitional forest zone where secondary forest meets older growth, a type of edge environment that often supports high concentrations of small invertebrates.

The surrounding ecosystem at the discovery site also supports frogs, crickets, and beetles that may serve as prey for the scorpion, according to the study.

How Small It Is

Scorpiops krachana is among the smallest members of its subgenus. Adults measure between 0.85 and 1.06 inches from head to stinger, according to the paper.

In the study’s species description, Nawanetiwong wrote that “Males reach just over one inch from head to tail.”

Built to Hunt in the Dark

Despite its tiny size, the scorpion is equipped for effective predation. The species has elongated pedipalps — the pincer-bearing appendages — that end in straight claws. Field measurements reported in the study indicate the scorpion’s slender claws can close quickly enough to capture prey larger than its body.

Along its pincers, the scorpion carries sensory hairs known as trichobothria. According to the researchers, these hairs allow the scorpion to detect air movement and locate prey in low-light environments.

The researchers noted that the species has eight eyes — the maximum number typically found in scorpions. The study suggests that having eight eyes may improve depth perception during stationary hunting, a strategy suited to an ambush predator waiting motionless beneath cover.

Scientists also referenced research suggesting scorpion exoskeletons can fluoresce under ultraviolet light and may function as a light-sensing surface.

Males and Females Look Different

Researchers documented physical differences between the sexes. According to co-author Natapot Warrit, females have a darker chocolate-colored shell, while males appear more tan.

The species belongs to the genus Scorpiops and shares anatomical features with related Euscorpiops species.

Where It Was Found

Kaeng Krachan National Park lies along the Tenasserim Range near Thailand’s western border. The park is part of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.

According to UNESCO, the forest complex contains at least 459 animal species, including 48 endemic species and 81 species classified as rare.

Nawanetiwong noted the species may be unique to the region. “This new taxon may represent one endemic element for the scorpion fauna of Thailand,” he wrote in the paper.

The discovery increases the number of described Euscorpiops species in Thailand to 13 and raises the total number of known Scorpiops species worldwide to more than 115, according to the study.

What Happens Next

Researchers are conducting genetic sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene to better determine the species’ evolutionary relationships with other Asian scorpions. That work could help scientists understand how scorpion species have diversified across the mountain ranges and forests of mainland Southeast Asia.

The authors note that land-use changes near the discovery site could affect the scorpion’s habitat, as areas outside the park transition into farmland. A species found in a transitional forest zone — precisely the type of habitat most vulnerable to encroachment — may depend on the continued integrity of the park’s boundaries for its survival.

Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.

Hanna Wickes

Miami Herald

Hanna Wickes is a content specialist working with McClatchy Media’s Trend Hunter and national content specialists team. She also writes for Life & Style, In Touch, Mod Moms Club and more, covering everything from trending TV shows to K-pop drama and the occasional controversial astrology take (she’s a Virgo, so it tracks). Before joining Life & Style, she spent three years as a writer and editor at J-14 Magazine — right up until its shutdown in August 2025 — where she covered Young Hollywood and, of course, all things K-pop. She began her journalism career as a local reporter for Straus News, chasing small-town stories before diving headfirst into entertainment. Hanna graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2020 with a degree in Communication Studies and Journalism.