African Scorpion??

[NihonRobot]

I saw a new scorpion at my local pet store labeled as an "African Scorpion." I figured this was as general as you could get without calling it an "Earth Scorpion" so I figured I'd ask you all what it might be. Looks sort of like a Desert Hairy, except its tail is fairly thick. It's also priced at 40 bucks.

Sorry I'm still not comfortable enough with my knowledge of scientific names to try and use them

 

[guesskatiejules]

There are quite a few species that could be labeled as "African". I looked it up on Google and came up with this webpage:

http://www.scorpions.co.za/

 

[Brian S]

It could be any number of species that are from Africa. Can you get a photo? That would narrow it down some if you could

 

[NihonRobot]

I don't know if they'd let me take a picture, but it's light yellow with a black back, skinny claws and a thick tail.

 

[Kaulback]

Lol, are there not 50 scorpions that can be described like that? Not to poke fun, but it sucks that you probably won't get an I.D. based on that. Best of luck.

 

[G. Carnell]

lol..
watch out, it could be one of the nasties!

Hottentotta jayakari might foot that description, can you describe it any better?

 

[errit]

I I figured this was as general as you could get without calling it an "Earth Scorpion"

HAHA
Sometimes it is just irritating how little they know about the scorpions they sell.

 

[NihonRobot]

I know...from everything I've learned and observed, I've noticed that the scorps with thick tails and skinny pincers are the more dangerous ones. When I told my friend this he didn't believe me, and he asked an employee and they basically discribed an Emperor. "The sting is supposed to be like a bee sting, but that's just what I've heard," was their reply. I didn't want to start an argument, especially when I didn't know for sure.

And sorry for the vague description...I can give more details but I'm not sure if it'll help narrow it down that much. The eyes on its back had a small mound between them sort of, and the soft skin under its exoskeleton was gray from what I remember. It also had a long, slender body style rather than some of the more round species I've seen. That's about the best I can do. :8o

 

[mimic58]

A sting from any fat tail should be avoided like bot flies id treat it as potencialy deadly unless you can prove otherwise...

 

[NihonRobot]

I'm really debating on this scorp...I have another cage all ready to go and want to fill it with something other than an Emp. All the local pet stores get in are Emps, so this is a rarity. I guess the only thing holding me back is the price - being a beginner spending $40 on a scorp is a little spendy.

 

[Brian S]

At least you won't have to pay shipping on it
None of the Pet Stores around here ever have anything but Emps either so I always have to order mine and pay enough for shipping to almost buy another scorp or tarantula (unless I go to a show of course)

 

[NihonRobot]

I know, I've shopped around online and noticed how spendy shipping can be.

Do you have any suggestions on desert scorps good for careful beginners? I assumed Desert Hairy's were ok, so I asked the pet store if they can get those in. They told me they can get a lot of exotic pets, so if there are any desert scorp suggestions I can see if they can get it in.

 

[Div1nE]

At least you won't have to pay shipping on it
None of the Pet Stores around here ever have anything but Emps either so I always have to order mine and pay enough for shipping to almost buy another scorp or tarantula (unless I go to a show of course)

yes i totally hate how shipping is so expensive.

i also HATE minimum orders that are like above $20.

it's why i tend to stick to ordering from only certain sites, saves a LOT of money.

 

[Brian S]

Do you have any suggestions on desert scorps good for careful beginners? I assumed Desert Hairy's were ok, so I asked the pet store if they can get those in. They told me they can get a lot of exotic pets, so if there are any desert scorp suggestions I can see if they can get it in.

Desert Hairys are always good choices as are any of the Hadogenes spp (Flat Rocks). I also think that a B jacksoni would be a pretty good choice although not really a true desert species. You don't have to keep them real humid like Emps though. The Opistophthalmus spp would also be pretty good although they are an obligate burrower and will stay hid for weeks on end.

 

[Kaulback]

yes i totally hate how shipping is so expensive.

i also HATE minimum orders that are like above $20.

it's why i tend to stick to ordering from only certain sites, saves a LOT of money.

Care to give a few examples? I make $10 a week...so minimizing costs is tres tres important.

 

[Brian S]

yes i totally hate how shipping is so expensive.

i also HATE minimum orders that are like above $20.

it's why i tend to stick to ordering from only certain sites, saves a LOT of money.

Yeah I always try to buy several at once so I can at least make myself think that it is justified to pay ungodly shipping costs lol

 

[ScorpionKing83]

that scorp you described from the pet shop. i believe it is a African yellow fattail scorpion, if it has lil pincers and a thick tail, im pretty sure that its an African Fattailed Scorpion (Androctonus australis) if not, then its a Rusty Thick Tail Scorpion (Babycurus jacksoni).

 

[NihonRobot]

Wow, so if it's a fat tail then the sting probably wouldn't like a bee would it?

 

[ScorpionKing83]

hurt like a bee, maybe, but the venom would kill you, lol, actually thats not funny but you know. thats my guess tho, i may be wrong tho.

 

[NYbirdEater]

I don't know if they'd let me take a picture, but it's light yellow with a black back, skinny claws and a thick tail.

Could be a lot, take a look at some Andoctonus pics, Parabuthus, Leirus etc etc etc