H. Hottentota questions
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they are called H.hottentotta, no common names.
Keep them warm, between 23-26 Celsius, on sand with some bark, and spray just a corner of the deli cup or enclosure weekly. Give a bottle cap of fresh water each week and they should do fine.
H.hottentotta mainly occurs on the humid plains and savannahs and therefore you need to keep them more humid then other members of the genus.
Keep them warm, between 23-26 Celsius, on sand with some bark, and spray just a corner of the deli cup or enclosure weekly. Give a bottle cap of fresh water each week and they should do fine.
H.hottentotta mainly occurs on the humid plains and savannahs and therefore you need to keep them more humid then other members of the genus.
some people label it as West African ground scorpion or Congo red alligator back
but again, common names are not reliable
IMO, common names are useless.
West African ground scorpion
1. Are their any airscorpions?
2. West Africa is incredibly large
3. There are a lot of species in Africa, all living on the ground
Ergo: this name tells us nothing, zilch, nada, just as Congo alligator back. Nicely made up, but useless.
West African ground scorpion
1. Are their any airscorpions?
2. West Africa is incredibly large
3. There are a lot of species in Africa, all living on the ground
Ergo: this name tells us nothing, zilch, nada, just as Congo alligator back. Nicely made up, but useless.
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I disagree . I think that common names make it easier for the casual enthusiast to get involved . That could be why there as so many more tarantula keepers then scorpion keepers . Almost very T has some kind of common name . Don't get me wrong , I don't want to see a Androctonus australis referred to as a a YST or "Yellow Stingy Thing" like the poor P.Murinus and it's unfortunate handle "OBT" . West African ground scorpion just sounds like the kind of name you would see in a pet store . I mean I'm not going to stop referring to my P.imperator as "Emperors" just because they don't wear crowns or sit on thrones .
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I have to agree with Michiel. Common names are no good and can only lead to confussion. I'v seen several types of "emperors" being sold at one pet store.
John
I hear what you are saying, but personally I think it is more important to know what species "we" are talking about, then the influence of common names on the number of hobbyists keeping scorpions.
but i do wish h.hottentotta did have a proper street name.. i mean "hottentotta" feels kinda twisty and mouthy.. unlike "emperors"..
and thanks for the tip.. however i have another question.
i'm confused as to whether h. hottentotta is parthenogenic or not. what's the truth behind this? because i've read posts saying they kept male and female h.hottentotta and such..
i'm confused as to whether h. hottentotta is parthenogenic or not. what's the truth behind this? because i've read posts saying they kept male and female h.hottentotta and such..
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Boris has a point. It's much easier for people who aren't familiar w/ technical terms and names, especially when you're trying to share your scorpion interests with others who have no clue about them. Picture someone asking you, "Do you have any pets?" and you answer, "oh, I own a Pandinus imperator, mature adults have a reddish/brown telson and the species in general has a lot of granulation on the pedipalps."
You can use the less appropriate terms and then elaborate afterward if they're interested in learning more. Otherwise you come off as a nerdy bug lover, a nerdy bug lover people will not understand (even more) and probably blow off and also lose interest in w/e you're talking about since they can't relate to it at all.
However, it's important to refer to the scientific names during more serious discussions. Emperor scorpion is much easier to register than Pandinus imperator to the non-scorpion enthusiast. However, some common names really are useless.
Well, that's what I think
You can use the less appropriate terms and then elaborate afterward if they're interested in learning more. Otherwise you come off as a nerdy bug lover, a nerdy bug lover people will not understand (even more) and probably blow off and also lose interest in w/e you're talking about since they can't relate to it at all.
However, it's important to refer to the scientific names during more serious discussions. Emperor scorpion is much easier to register than Pandinus imperator to the non-scorpion enthusiast. However, some common names really are useless.
Well, that's what I think
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There are parthenogenetic populations (i.e. from Mali) and sexual populations. The males of the sexual populations have bulbous chela and the females have slender chela. You cannot see if the female is parthenogenetic, but if she gives birth to a litter of young after she is an adult, you know it is parthenogenetic.
Well, if you are talking with people who do not have a clue anyway, what does it matter if you say "emperor" or "Pandinus imperator". And what if you come off as a nerdy bug lover? Do you think you can prevent that by saying, it's an emperor??? You must be young or very popular that you care that much what other people think of you.Boris has a point. It's much easier for people who aren't familiar w/ technical terms and names, especially when you're trying to share your scorpion interests with others who have no clue about them. Picture someone asking you, "Do you have any pets?" and you answer, "oh, I own a Pandinus imperator, mature adults have a reddish/brown telson and the species in general has a lot of granulation on the pedipalps."
You can use the less appropriate terms and then elaborate afterward if they're interested in learning more. Otherwise you come off as a nerdy bug lover, a nerdy bug lover people will not understand (even more) and probably blow off and also lose interest in w/e you're talking about since they can't relate to it at all.
However, it's important to refer to the scientific names during more serious discussions. Emperor scorpion is much easier to register than Pandinus imperator to the non-scorpion enthusiast. However, some common names really are useless.
Well, that's what I think
Just use what you prefer and if a scorpion doesn't have a common name, just make one up, just like some breeders/ sellers do.
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Thanks for the personal attacks :clap:
Back on topic:
I am saying that if you're trying to explain something to a person who isn't as knowledgeable as you are in the subject matter it's helpful to use more common names/terms. People will blow off Pandinus imperator because they don't know what it is, most know it as the emperor scorpion. People will blow off technical terminology as well. Instead of pedipalps, use claws and then explain that pedipalps is the technical term.
The point is not to create this large gap/distance between you and the learning person. How can they understand/relate to anything you're saying if you don't stick a few of the more common terms in there? I'm not saying to Only use just common terms, but to use them in addition. You can then clarify to the person about the errors in using common terms and enlighten them with the benefits of technical terms.
And of course it'd matter to the person, that's the whole point. You're trying to get them to understand what you're talking about. Shoving scientific terms in their faces doesn't go anywhere, they'll just go "yeah, uh huh, uh huh." They don't have a clue, you're trying to give them one. Otherwise, what would be the point of it all? I Just know that when I talk to my friends they all go "Ohhhh" when I use common terminology and then I elaborate w/ technical terms. A teacher wouldn't be a good one if they didn't take it step by step. I know that when I was getting into the hobby I felt alienated and confused due to the terminology, I started with common terms and got the hang of things, then advanced my knowledge from there. Like I said before, some common names really suck, but a few like emperor scorpion or Asian forest scorpion aren't that bad for basic explanations. Elaboration afterward is the key.
I'd like to add that I respect your opinion and this is my 2 cents.
Back on topic:
I am saying that if you're trying to explain something to a person who isn't as knowledgeable as you are in the subject matter it's helpful to use more common names/terms. People will blow off Pandinus imperator because they don't know what it is, most know it as the emperor scorpion. People will blow off technical terminology as well. Instead of pedipalps, use claws and then explain that pedipalps is the technical term.
The point is not to create this large gap/distance between you and the learning person. How can they understand/relate to anything you're saying if you don't stick a few of the more common terms in there? I'm not saying to Only use just common terms, but to use them in addition. You can then clarify to the person about the errors in using common terms and enlighten them with the benefits of technical terms.
And of course it'd matter to the person, that's the whole point. You're trying to get them to understand what you're talking about. Shoving scientific terms in their faces doesn't go anywhere, they'll just go "yeah, uh huh, uh huh." They don't have a clue, you're trying to give them one. Otherwise, what would be the point of it all? I Just know that when I talk to my friends they all go "Ohhhh" when I use common terminology and then I elaborate w/ technical terms. A teacher wouldn't be a good one if they didn't take it step by step. I know that when I was getting into the hobby I felt alienated and confused due to the terminology, I started with common terms and got the hang of things, then advanced my knowledge from there. Like I said before, some common names really suck, but a few like emperor scorpion or Asian forest scorpion aren't that bad for basic explanations. Elaboration afterward is the key.
I'd like to add that I respect your opinion and this is my 2 cents.
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B. jacksoni has several common names.
Rusty Thick Tail
Rusty Red Scorpion
Red Thick Tail
Many names but one Scorpion. Common Names are not very reliable and they can confuse people. Example: A Guy buys a "Emperor Scorpion" but what hes really buying is a "Red Claw Scorpion". He goes to another pet shop and buys another "Emperor Scorpion" but this time he really is buying a Pandinus Cavimanus, not a Pandinus Imperator. He puts the two together.
Rusty Thick Tail
Rusty Red Scorpion
Red Thick Tail
Many names but one Scorpion. Common Names are not very reliable and they can confuse people. Example: A Guy buys a "Emperor Scorpion" but what hes really buying is a "Red Claw Scorpion". He goes to another pet shop and buys another "Emperor Scorpion" but this time he really is buying a Pandinus Cavimanus, not a Pandinus Imperator. He puts the two together.
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yup, scientific names are definitely a must when dealing with purchases/transactions.
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I think some of you might have misunderstood the point I was trying to make . I on occasion give "scorpion" talks to local groups . In that cases if I were stand up in front of a group and spout out a bunch of Latin names , people would very quickly lose interest . I wasn't talking about dealing with people hear in the boards or at animal shows . In the case of buying and selling , proper names must be used . I meant that it is easier to get people acclimated to the idea of scorpion keeping when using terms that are easier to understand . For example , how many of you know what acetylsalicylic acid is ? I guarantee that you have taken it at least a few times .
I wasn't trying to say that common names should be used amongst knowledgeable people . Just that it makes it easier for someone to become knowledgeable . Sorta like training wheels .
I wasn't trying to say that common names should be used amongst knowledgeable people . Just that it makes it easier for someone to become knowledgeable . Sorta like training wheels .
That would have been handy if you had said that before (doing scorpion talks).
Offcourse, if you are talking to a group only in scientific terms and latin names, you will put them to sleep. - Joined
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Hmm, I was just wondering...
if you had the opposite view from me then and you called me "young and very popular"...does that mean you're old and very unpopular? hehe ;P
What's wrong with young and popular? Many consider the US president that
Well, just glad we're all on the same page.
Edit: not that there's anything wrong w/ being old and very unpopular
if you had the opposite view from me then and you called me "young and very popular"...does that mean you're old and very unpopular? hehe ;P
What's wrong with young and popular? Many consider the US president that
Well, just glad we're all on the same page.
Edit: not that there's anything wrong w/ being old and very unpopular
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