Scorpions, often misunderstood and persecuted, have captured the imagination of humans from early times, but only recently have we begun to understand their complex behaviour and biology. Some 60 southern African species are discussed here, including those most likely to be encountered. The book examines their anatomy and behaviour, survival strategies in harsh conditions, their use of venom and their successful existence over millions of years. Clear images and distribution maps further inform about southern Africa's rich scorpion fauna, indicating where to look for them and how best to handle them.