Venom strength vs. time to die

[PIter]

Scorpion venom is a peptide cocktail, not a protein, which varies for different species. A peptide is an amide combining the amino group of one amino acid with the carboxyl group of another; usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of a protein. Scorpions are known to be venom conservers, i.e. they precisely control how much venom they inject based upon the target and their currently available stored supply. So it is difficult to draw conclusions from isoloated prey sting observations.

Why Jan Ove Rein lie about something like what venom is made of?

 

[snakezen]

Scorpion as venom conservers paper

]...As a note Its often believed that scorpions can control the quantity of venom the can inject but as far as I'm aware there is nothing in the literature which can verify this claim. It would definitely be an interesting area for research.

See this paper and references: http://home.online.no/~janor/paper.htm

 

[fusion121]

See this paper and references: http://home.online.no/~janor/paper.htm

Yes I've see that before there quite a few similar studies that are all very interesting, its slightly different to what I'm referring too though , scorpions decide whether to use the sting but if they use the sting its not been proven whether they can moderate/control the amount of venom actually injected or whether they can even alter its content (pre-venom etc. suggested in some papers). People often assume they can because for example snakes are able too. As was discussed in an earlier thread, much of it comes down to whether scorpions venom is metabolically expensive, which is not known yet.

Why Jan Ove Rein lie about something like what venom is made of?

Its a common mistake among biologists , and an easy one to make. Most biologists see a large macro-molecule and think protein which is fair enough because its not often important to them what it actually is. Furthermore its even easier to confuse since proteins are amino acid residues joined by a peptide bond, because of this most biologists lump proteins/peptides together which from the point of view of macroscopic biology has no great effect.

 

[Eurypterid]

...though people thought it was mostly speculation on the part of the authors...

Actually, it's *entirely* nothing but speculation, since they did absolutely no experimentation at all to show that scorpions have, use, or even need different types of venom. The paper is interesting in that they identified the cation components and showed that they are probably important in the action of the venom, but everything in it about "prevenom" as a separate and unique form of venom is entirely BS - nothing but poor speculation based on half-ass and unsupported assumptions. It was just an attempt to spice up a paper that would have otherwise been ignored by the popular science press. Instead of a paper that would have never been heard of by anyone but a few specialists, they added all that fluff in a (somewhat successful) attempt to get attention. The entire discussion portion of that paper is a perfect example of how *not* to do scientific writing. In fact, I use it in my classes now as a negative example.

 

[Zibi]

hmm

And how about Hadrurus arizonensis? Is he strong venomous?

 

[PIter]

And how about Hadrurus arizonensis? Is he strong venomous?

2/5 but its said to hurt like mad.

 

[Zibi]

Is he good for begginers? (I have tarantulas for 1,5 year)

 

[stevenhman]

Fyi

Slightly off topic, but:
I had a P. transvaalicus once. I took a section of vacuum tube and rubber-banded plastic wrap to one end. I then took the plastic-wrapped end and proceeded to agitate the hell out of my poor test subject. After about three quick thwacks I have three little drops of venom on the other side. It was pretty cool. just fyi

 

[PIter]

Is he good for begginers? (I have tarantulas for 1,5 year)

No its not good for beginners, but hay, its up to you.

 

[fusion121]

I'd say I was a very good beginner scorpion, not difficult to care for, not very venemous, yet very interesting to watch and very active.

 

[Kaos]

I would also recommend a adult H. arizonensis as a beginner scorp. Very easy to care for. Not humidity dependent like P. imperator and Heterometrus sp.