H. spinifer vs petersii?

[TechnoGeek]

I'm just curious as to how they differ? With regards to size, temperament, hardiness, any districtdi in care?

Thanks!

 

[ArachnoDrew]

If you were given both of them. You would hardly tell the difference. There are minimal physical difference and hardly any in temperament what so ever

Captive care is the same

 

[Wetoji]

I had what I thought to be a H. Spinifer for months. That is until I got curious and started looking into the differences between different Heterometrus species. Turns out I most likely have a H. Petersii. As I understand it though H. Spinifer often has a red coloured telson. Which I think looks pretty darn cool.

 

[ArachnoDrew]

True h spinifer is actually very hard to find in the U.S.

90% of all Asian forest scorpions or heterometrus sp. are all petersii in the U.S.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

I'm just curious as to how they differ? With regards to size, temperament, hardiness, any districtdi in care?

Thanks!

H.petersii and H.longimanus will usually run $15-$25, but a genuine H.spinifer will run $35-$50. H.spinifer and H.longimanus are some of the largest AFS available in the hobby outside of H.swammerdami.

 

[Collin Clary]

H.petersii and H.longimanus will usually run $15-$25, but a genuine H.spinifer will run $35-$50. H.spinifer and H.longimanus are some of the largest AFS available in the hobby outside of H.swammerdami.

H. longimanus is extremely rare in the US hobby. You're more likely to find H. swammerdami.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

H. longimanus is extremely rare in the US hobby. You're more likely to find H. swammerdami.

Seriously? I have seen it listed on several reptile shop sites, Heterometrus pet sales misidentification is that horribly widespread? I have been out of the hobby for 10+ years.

 

[Collin Clary]

Seriously? I have seen it listed on several reptile shop sites, Heterometrus pet sales misidentification is that horribly widespread? I have been out of the hobby for 10+ years.

Yup. Every single one of them is misidentified. It's really pretty obvious too, once you know what real H. longimanus look like. Males have elongated pedipalps and look very distinctive.

 

[Collin Clary]

There's also going to be a new revision of the genus, which should be published later this year, or early 2020.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Yup. Every single one of them is misidentified. It's really pretty obvious too, once you know what real H. longimanus look like. Males have elongated pedipalps and look very distinctive.

Yeah, I am aware of the sex diamorphism in this species. There are alot of reputable reptile with this species listed however arachnids aren't their forte per se i.e. LLL Reptiles, Underground Reptiles, Backwater Reptiles, Jurassic Pets Supplies, etc. But that their suppliers would have competency would be helpful.

I wasn't aware they were so rare, I recall back in the day there were even jumbo sized H.longimanus (6"-7") imported in limited quantities.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

There's also going to be a new revision of the genus, which should be published later this year, or early 2020.

I really look forward to obtaining and reading this, this is one of my favorite species if thee favorite.

 

[TechnoGeek]

H.petersii and H.longimanus will usually run $15-$25, but a genuine H.spinifer will run $35-$50. H.spinifer and H.longimanus are some of the largest AFS available in the hobby outside of H.swammerdami.

Thanks! Any of them has a potent venom that could hurt the average adult more than P. imperator?

You guys are very knowledgeable, many many thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Thanks! Any of them has a potent venom that could hurt the average adult more than P. imperator?

You guys are very knowledgeable, many many thanks for taking the time to reply

I haven't really followed sting reports or clinical studies on Heterometrus stings but what I have gathered is their venom has about the same "bee sting" potency of Emps. None of the Heterometrus ssp give me any more concern than the Emp.

 

[TechnoGeek]

I haven't really followed sting reports or clinical studies on Heterometrus stings but what I have gathered is their venom has about the same "bee sting" potency of Emps. None of the Heterometrus ssp give me any more concern than the Emp.

That's great! Cause I remember coming across a YouTube comment that said they're as venomous as the Egyptian death stalker scorpion, which sounded like bs but i wanted to verify. Thanks!

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

That's great! Cause I remember coming across a YouTube comment that said they're as venomous as the Egyptian death stalker scorpion, which sounded like bs but i wanted to verify. Thanks!

No way, 99.99999% of scorpions of medical concern are in the Buthidae family which the Deathstalker belongs to.

Outside of the Buthidae family there is one scorpion of medical concern Hemiscorpius lepturus from the Hemiscorpiidae family.

Ironically H.lepturus once belonged to Scorpionidae family the same family Asian Forest Scorpions belong to. General rule of thumb large lobster-like clawed scorpions are harmless however Hemiscorpius lepturus is the exception to that rule (and I don't believe it has ever been offered in the NA hobby).

https://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/h_lepturus.htm

The internet is full of misinformation unfortunately. I have encountered that same type of gross misinformation before on the internet but with the NA Desert Hairy Scorpion.

 

[TechnoGeek]

No way, 99.99999% of scorpions of medical concern are in the Buthidae family which the Deathstalker belongs to.

Outside of the Buthidae family there is one scorpion of medical concern Hemiscorpius lepturus from the Hemiscorpiidae family.

Ironically H.lepturus once belonged to Scorpionidae family the same family Asian Forest Scorpions belong to. General rule of thumb large lobster-like clawed scorpions are harmless however Hemiscorpius lepturus is the exception to that rule (and I don't believe it has ever been offered in the NA hobby).

https://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/h_lepturus.htm

The internet is full of misinformation unfortunately. I have encountered that same type of gross misinformation before on the internet but with the NA Desert Hairy Scorpion.

After reading this, I went out and got this guy:

He's still a baby, but it's fun watching them grow. I'll certainly get an adult as soon as i can. BTW, do you think the enclosure is too small for it? I feel like this one will make finding food and water easier? I will certainly moving in a molt or 2 once it starts getting too big for this cup.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

After reading this, I went out and got this guy:

He's still a baby, but it's fun watching them grow. I'll certainly get an adult as soon as i can. BTW, do you think the enclosure is too small for it? I feel like this one will make finding food and water easier? I will certainly moving in a molt or 2 once it starts getting too big for this cup.

Aww he is adorable. That deli cup is perfect seeing the substrate is a bit shallow you can try to provide a small hide.

 

[TechnoGeek]

I'm keeping him in a dark place almost all of the time. I can stick in a piece of cork bark for hide tho. TYSM!

 

[TechnoGeek]

Pinhead crickets be the best choice for its feeder?

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Pinhead crickets be the best choice for its feeder?

Yes!