When I visited northwestern Crete in May 2002 together with Morten Sagmo, I was so lucky to discover a colony of Iurus dufoureius dufoureius. Surprisingly, the colony was located in a 15 meter long rock wall, only a few meters away from the beach. A small river was runing into the sea at the same location. We were actually blacklighting for Mesobuthus gibbosus when I by coincidence saw a pair of large claws just outside a crevice in the rock wall. During three nights, at least six adults and juveniles specimens where seen hiding in cracks and crevices along the rock wall.

I'm not revealing the exact location of the colony to protect it from collection.

The Cafe located at the top of the Samaria ravine had a large Iurus in alcohol at display. A "not too communicative" employe told me that the scorpion was collected in this area. It seems that Iurus, at least in Crete, prefer humid areas where they hide in cracks and crevices of rock walls etc. It is reported that this species also have been found in the basements of houses, or under barrels of wine and other wooden furniture. This is a rare species, that are very secretive and hide during the warm periods of the year.

All photos Jan Ove Rein (C).

Pictures:

An overview of the area showing the beach with the rock wall (circle). Large version with markings Large version without markings	A close-up showing the rock wall and the proximity to the beach. Large version with markings Large version without markings
A close-up of the first part of the rock wall where individuals where located (circles). Large version with markings Large version without markings	A close-up of the seccond part of the rock wall where individuals where located (circles). Large version with markings Large version without markings
A close-up of one of the crevices where a large female was located (circle). Large version with markings Large version without markings	The rock wall from another angle with scorpion observations marked (circles). Large version with markings Large version without markings

I'm interested in habitat pictures for European scorpions! Mail me if you have any at jan.rein@ub.ntnu.no.