H.hottentotta or H.tamulus?

[Div129]

I don’t really have that much experience with Hot scorpions. Surprisingly got an adult scorpion as a freebie. Maybe because I ordered an OBT?

Well, I don’t really own high venom scorpions. But with OW experience and lower venom scorpions I am confident in caring for a H.hottentotta. Even with all the precautions I do with everything, if it is an H.tamulus, I am a bit hesitant because of all the death reports.

Well the issue is the cup it came in was labeled Hottentotta and the store sells both. I tried searching for pics of each but google kept mix matching them and suddenly theres a pic of a tamulus when i searched for a hottentotta. Seller did say H.hottentotta but just to be sure I came here to ask.

The scorpion walked straight under the rocks during unboxing so the pics might not be too good. If better pics are needed I can take new ones. Would also like to know if I am keeping her(??) correctly. Sand+cococoir on a heatmat, thermo says 31C (87f). Small waterdish not in pic (some people say they don’t need them if you mist?)
(update: OH SHOOT JUST READ THAT HEATMATS ARE BAD FOR THESE GUYS (never had to use heating for any of my scorpions). I thankfully have a ceramic bulb handy, and already switched her onto it)

 

[MorbidArachnid]

My gut says HH, but BIG DISCLAIMER. Unfortunately the keys we have for them are not very good (Kovařík 2007) and it would be hard to tell off a picture. Both have variable color depending on region. I would treat it as an H tamulus until someone can identify it with absolute certainty, don't take someone on the internet just looking at a picture and saying they "know for sure" without some sort of proof or evidence when it comes to identifications of potentially lethal species.

Edit: also wait just ask the seller what they sent you

 

[Div129]

My gut says HH, but BIG DISCLAIMER. Unfortunately the keys we have for them are not very good (Kovařík 2007) and it would be hard to tell off a picture. Both have variable color depending on region. I would treat it as an H tamulus until someone can identify it with absolute certainty, don't take someone on the internet just looking at a picture and saying they "know for sure" without some sort of proof or evidence when it comes to identifications of potentially lethal species.

Edit: also wait just ask the seller what they sent you

thanks! I'll honestly treat it like a tamulus even if it is a confirmed HH, don't really wanna chance a sting. Will be confirming again with the seller. Does anyone have pics of these two species. The pics of these two on the internet is mixed up, even saw an asian forest pic as an "H.tamulus" , plus all their color variations.

 

[MorbidArachnid]

thanks! I'll honestly treat it like a tamulus even if it is a confirmed HH, don't really wanna chance a sting. Will be confirming again with the seller. Does anyone have pics of these two species. The pics of these two on the internet is mixed up, even saw an asian forest pic as an "H.tamulus" , plus all their color variations.

http://www.science.marshall.edu/fet/euscorpius/p2007_58 full.pdf
Link to the PDF (warning it's kinda big) for the Hottentotta revision. It has ventral and dorsal views and some detailed pictures of the prosoma/metasoma for some species. Also has a species descriptions.

 

[Brewser]

Hottentotta tamulus / Indian Red Scorpion, considered by some to be the most lethal Scorpion in the world.
Hottentotta Hottentotta / Congo Red, Alligator Back Scorpion, should also be treated with Respect.

 

[Div129]

http://www.science.marshall.edu/fet/euscorpius/p2007_58 full.pdf
Link to the PDF (warning it's kinda big) for the Hottentotta revision. It has ventral and dorsal views and some detailed pictures of the prosoma/metasoma for some species. Also has a species descriptions.

Thanks! From what I see im leaning towards HH. Got better pics of her. Also think that she looks fat or gravid? I did hear that HH can do pathogenesis.

 

[MorbidArachnid]

Thanks! From what I see im leaning towards HH. Got better pics of her. Also think that she looks fat or gravid? I did hear that HH can do pathogenesis.
View attachment 484176 View attachment 484178

Could be either fat or gravid honestly, think the chela look larger compared to how they look in H tamulus, and the color definitely makes me think HH but its variable

 

[viper69]

Hottentotta tamulus / Indian Red Scorpion, considered by some to be the most lethal Scorpion in the world.
Hottentotta Hottentotta / Congo Red, Alligator Back Scorpion, should also be treated with Respect.

so my scorpion juggling gig should be avoided- bummer

 

[Tentacle Toast]

so my scorpion juggling gig should be avoided- bummer

Well that depends on if your more concerned about your health, or the quality of your entertainment. People only watch hockey for the fights, after all...

 

[viper69]

Well that depends on if your more concerned about your health, or the quality of your entertainment. People only watch hockey for the fights, after all...

Based on that, then the SHOW must GO ON!

 

[Brewser]

so my scorpion juggling gig should be avoided- bummer

maybe try centipede juggling first.
work your way up.

LOL

 

[viper69]

maybe try centipede juggling first.
work your way up.

Way to keep a fellow keeper down!

 

[Brewser]

Way to keep a fellow keeper down!

Not down, with juggling 'Keep' Em Up. LOL

If scorpions and centipedes are out.

Maybe juggle cats, like Comedian Steve Martin

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Hottentotta hottentotta

 

[RoyGodfrey]

I would say H.hottentotta and it could easily be gravid as they are parthenogenesis.