[3] Their common name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail, while the Latin name originates from Greek and means "man killer".

[5] The fat-tailed scorpion is nocturnal and enjoys making nests where they hide in crevices during the day to stay moisturized.

[7] Androctonus is widespread in North and West Africa, the Middle East and eastwards to the Hindukush region.

Countries where Androctonus species live including Egypt, Israel, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Pakistan and Morocco.

[11] To simulate the desert environment, the enclosure used to keep the scorpion in must be kept at a temperature of between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius (79–86 °F)[citation needed].