Emperor scorpion id and tail problem

[KevinsWither]

I just got a sexed pair of emperor scorpions. Are they pandinus imperator and will the tail of the female be alright?

 

[KevinsWither]

Note that the tail of the scorpion isn't so good (it's twisted and I got her that way)

 

[Smokehound714]

the telson is broken. she may be able to regenerate her telson, but that's a very bad injury for a scorpion, as their anus is located just before the telson

 

[Galapoheros]

It kind of looks like an old injury that didn't form properly and so molted out a little strange, hard to tell from here. If so it may be OK but will probably be off like that from now on but(if it makes it) it should be no big deal because it might be all about getting baby emperors later.

 

[KevinsWither]

Okay then. I'll take more photos when I get home. Now are they actual pandinus imperator?

 

[Connerl8k]

I'm no expert but after having looked closely at the tail of the female I feel she will be able to live happily as
Long as the anus is not too negatively effected. They defecate so rarely though that it could be a while before you notice a problem, keep a close eye on her and keep us updated please.

 

[darkness975]

the telson is broken. she may be able to regenerate her telson, but that's a very bad injury for a scorpion, as their anus is located just before the telson

I'm no expert but after having looked closely at the tail of the female I feel she will be able to live happily as
Long as the anus is not too negatively effected. They defecate so rarely though that it could be a while before you notice a problem, keep a close eye on her and keep us updated please.

I agree, hopefully the anus is not affected.

I never understood why nature gave them this anatomy (anus being at the end of the telson). The telson is used so often by most species and undergoes such trauma all the time that it seems like this type of injury might happen a lot. Anything that regularly eats Scorpions knows to disable the tail first. If a Scorpion gets attacked and survives but with a no longer functioning metasoma it is surely doomed. If the anus was located on the underside of the body it would seem to make more sense as it could possibly survive without a working stinger if it can capture small enough prey.

Food for thought I guess.

 

[darkness975]

Now are they actual pandinus imperator?

Can't tell 100% from those photots.

 

[KevinsWither]

It is hairy though. Ill update on the injury.

 

[Moakmeister]

Take a picture of the scorpion's head for us. The imperator has a distinctive triangle on its head that the dictator lacks.

 

[KevinsWither]

 

[Connerl8k]

It is hairy though. Ill update on the injury.

Cool. If there's any interesting behaviour changes from the individual aswell such as cleaning or avoiding cleaning the area, changing tempermant etc that you notice let us know could give an idea of how bad the injury is.

 

[KevinsWither]

My lovely emperor scorpions. Wish I could of gotten another female.

 

[Moakmeister]

View attachment 238826 View attachment 238827

Those are imperators. Good find.

 

[KevinsWither]

The only thing is about the sexing part. I'll upload pictures and see if you can sex them...

 

[Galapoheros]

Yes those are imperators. When you've seen a lot of babies, there is a brain trigger that would need digging into to describing it in words, in taxonomic detail. But after seeing so many, you know it when you see them. I'm thinking you need to wait for some molts for sexing out, but I've never tried to sex them out before they mature, there may be a way but I don't know.

 

[KevinsWither]

more photos
Scorpion 1 ^^^


Scorpion 2

 

[KevinsWither]

Anyone?

 

[ArachnoDrew]

@Collin Clary

 

[Collin Clary]

I hate to burst any bubbles, but it is simply not possible to accurately identify them at this age. Pandinus is likely from the shape of the chela, but it is not possible to narrow it down to a species, or even rule out other genera at this age without looking at a specimen under a dissecting microscope.

As for sexing....

If you can get a good look at the operculum it should be possible, however sexing such young (and therefore small) individuals can be difficult as the sexual dimorphism isn't as apparent as in older individuals.