Handling hotter species.

[Toirtis]

Also, why would you be calling an ambulance? If someone is going to hold a hot, I would hope they would do so with someone nearby who has a vehicle and is prepared to drive them to the nearest hospital.

Because most people trying to be cool by handling a medically significant species would not think that far ahead.....and perhaps because in most countries, ambulances have sirens, right-of-way, ability to exceed speed limits and circumvent traffic rules, and equipment to treat enroute....all things that can get a patient to a hospital a lot faster and in better condition.

For example, I live so close to a major hospital, that I would get there before an ambulance would arrive at my house.

For example, we have plenty of local ambulances that patrol regularly and could be at almost any house in the city in under 5 minutes...equipped with almost a full ER's worth of equipment...something my car does not.

There would be no emt needed. They could help in the case of allergic reaction,

One would assume that a self-reliant hot-handler would have a couple of self-injecting epi-pens on hand, thereby eliminating any need for an EMT.

but otherwise getting to the hospital is where you will actually receive care that MIGHT be needed.

I don't know how your part of the US is, but here in Canada our ambulances are pretty heavily equipped, and our EMTs very well trained...they are pretty much travelling ERs.

And where I live, people get stung by scorpions. We have 2 species living all the way into downtown here. So therefor, a scorpion sting would not elicit press attention. In fact, I just received an email from a local family that found an 8" S. heros in their house. That's normal here.

Ah, but would a death (or near death) from an exotic species receive no attention? One assumes that the hospital would have to report that in some way.

But here, it wouldn't be a news story unless you called an ambulance freaking out talking about how deadly it is, hence freaking out dispatch, and then maybe.

So, that covers about 95% of people...even invert keepers...people panic.

IF you died, that would get a story on the 6 o'clock news, but I don't think you would hear about it after that. There's just too many other things happening for anyone to care. They are more worried about other things, like a recent murder and some robberies, that actually effect other people. I know they are "shock" driven, but I don't think even if they did hear about it, that it would be a huge deal here.

Ah, but the murders and robberies are commonplace...they end up being background noise, whereas something unusual catches peoples attention.

 

[H. laoticus]

I don't think people should handle hot species of scorpions, and most should handle any of them. But I have to play devils advocate here.

How many of you get into cars? OMG, you are so dumb. You are all risking your life, every time you do. Over 30,000 die each year and hundreds of thousands are seriously injured and have their lives change forever. I think you are all addicted to this unsafe act and should seek help. And if you brag about the size of your engine, or modify your car in any way for performance, then you have serious problems.

How many people here drink? How many eat non organic food covered in Neurologically damaging pesticides? How about fast food? Cigarettes? You take vaccines with adjuvants?

For those of you you can say no to all of this, go start blessing people and start a religion or something. For the rest of you, calm down. You shouldn't hold hot scorpions. It's a dumb idea, and I won't have sympathy for you if you get stung. But, really, if one person getting stung from holding their own scorpion "ruins the hobby", then we should just have the government lock everyone in their houses and deliver everything straight to us by slow moving padded robots. We need to stop having our government
"saving" us from ourselves. How about a little personal responsibility? If you have to do something foolish, thats your problem. When rock climbers and mountaineers die, do they ban rock climbing??? Do we want guns banned because a criminal (or cop in Detroit this week) shoots and kills a child? Life's dangerous. We put way to much nervousness into irresponsible behavior of keepers as compared to society. Heck, BP is killing off the GULF of Mexico right now, from their neglecting 3 failed safety tests in a row on the BOP. Where's the outrage? So what if someone wants to injure or kill themselves with a scorpion? It shouldn't effect us.

Lets keep it in perspective. Okay, now I feel better.

*Edit* Btw, I'm about to spend two weeks riding my bike across the desert alone to go collecting. I'm going to be knee deep in Rattlesnakes, including the Mojave, and everyone that I see will be armed. BP, Ranchers, and smugglers will all be armed. I will have a cat hole shovel and some water and beef jerky. I am probably 10,000% more likely to die in the next two weeks than if I held my Androctonus australis every day for those two weeks. Should I not be allowed to ride into the desert? Sorry, but I believe in freedom. Even freedom to do dumb, reckless, dangerous things. Go freedom.

Well, I need my car to go to school and buy food. I live far from my essentials. I don't drink and I try to eat healthy foods, but organic foods aren't cheap and I need to eat.
I don't agree with this, "If you have to do something foolish, thats your problem." We all live together, distance doesn't matter because we're all on this giant rock. Sometimes the things you do will affect me and others around you. Take the python business going on. It's insane.
No, it shouldn't affect us, but it probably will if everyone else hears about it. And I do care whether or not another person dies or injures her/himself.
A lot of things going on in this post, a lot of things that need more thought.

I just want to ask an honest question: is there, if any, a good reason to handle a hot scorpion?

 

[Nomadinexile]

Because most people trying to be cool by handling a medically significant species would not think that far ahead.....and perhaps because in most countries, ambulances have sirens, right-of-way, ability to exceed speed limits and circumvent traffic rules, and equipment to treat enroute....all things that can get a patient to a hospital a lot faster and in better condition. For example, we have plenty of local ambulances that patrol regularly and could be at almost any house in the city in under 5 minutes...equipped with almost a full ER's worth of equipment...something my car does not.
One would assume that a self-reliant hot-handler would have a couple of self-injecting epi-pens on hand, thereby eliminating any need for an EMT.
I don't know how your part of the US is, but here in Canada our ambulances are pretty heavily equipped, and our EMTs very well trained...they are pretty much travelling ERs. Ah, but would a death (or near death) from an exotic species receive no attention? One assumes that the hospital would have to report that in some way.So, that covers about 95% of people...even invert keepers...people panic. Ah, but the murders and robberies are commonplace...they end up being background noise, whereas something unusual catches peoples attention.

You have some decent points here I can agree with. Most people don't think ahead. Although, I'd like to think most of the few who hold hots do. I've read about someone in EU who has, I've seen his pictures, and he's planned out for everything, including what medicines he wants, how much, when, etc, the only thing he hasn't planned for is aliens landing during his treatment! But I've seen video on youtube of people seemingly thoughtless holding them as well, but I don't think a blanket statement is in order there.

I could walk to the hospital in 5 minutes. And I unless I have an extremely allergic reaction, then I've got plenty of time. Now I agree for many, an ambulance would give them a leg up so to speak, but in my case it would provide almost 0 benefit over getting a ride from my partner. That isn't the case for everyone, but it is for many. Again, blanket statements. The American medical community is really good at emergency medicine, and trauma care. That's the one part of treatment outside of a few specialties, where we lead the world. Preventive care, forget about it. EMT and Trauma, we have great service there. But again, I wouldn't need it. Nor do I think most people should have an epi pen on hand. I don't. Then again, I don't handle hots. But I do have some. But again, I go climbing around Rattlesnakes all the time in the wild, so a "hot" scorpion isn't a big fear factor for me, especially in captivity where I can see it. FYI, even with our good emt's, ambulances are not roving ER's, nor are EMT's Doctors, They can stabilize if needed, but they can not treat you. There is no comparison.
Sure, in a rare event of death, there would be some news coverage, sensational and all, but I don't think it would result in legislation. Then again, you brought up the point about the emp sting in Canada, but that's canada. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd like to think otherwise. You are right to some extent though about murders and robberies being background noise. Tonight's major news stories here were a speeding granny and "pirates" on a lake on the Mexican border. :wall: Not trying to encourage anyone to hold hots, just providing some counter points and making this a discussion instead of a circle of back patting!

 

[Nomadinexile]

Well, I need my car to go to school and buy food. I live far from my essentials. I don't drink and I try to eat healthy foods, but organic foods aren't cheap and I need to eat.
I don't agree with this, "If you have to do something foolish, thats your problem." We all live together, distance doesn't matter because we're all on this giant rock. Sometimes the things you do will affect me and others around you. Take the python business going on. It's insane.
No, it shouldn't affect us, but it probably will if everyone else hears about it. And I do care whether or not another person dies or injures her/himself.
A lot of things going on in this post, a lot of things that need more thought.

I just want to ask an honest question: is there, if any, a good reason to handle a hot scorpion?

H.L. I appreciate your contribution. I would like to respond in friendly debate with your post though.

I wasn't actually complaining about people driving, that was in jest, and to add perspective. Driving is dangerous. You have to do it. You choose to live where you do, and are willing to take the risk to do so. That's cool, whatever, but it is risky. Just as risky as holding hots, particularly if people there drive like people here do, texting or chatting on the phone inevitably!

I know organic food isn't cheap, and some people can't afford it, and others choose to spend their "extra" money on other things. But eating pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc., is dangerous for you and this planet. But you have to, or choose to. Thats okay. But in the long term, I think its much more unhealthy that someone holding a hot once in a while. You can choose to eat what you want, or what you have to, but others should be able to choose to hold a hot or not, imo.

I do care what happens to people. That's how I got a felony at the WTO protest. I've been in LOTS of protests and had lots of conversations, wrote letters, etc., trying to make this world a better place. But I think the best thing we can do is have freedom, even if what we are doing is dangerous. Of course we all living on this flying rock together, which is why I support your right to do what you want. That's the greatest gift I can give you. If someone wants to skydive, risking their life, but that's how they want to live, I support that. I don't support skydiving bans. If you die doing so, I will be sad for a second, then become really happy because you got to choose what you did, and you got to live life like you wanted. I care more than most, which is why I support people living the life that they choose. If it ends their life, well, they had a choice. Just like my friends celebrated another friends funeral. Not because he died, but because he died doing what he wanted, which happened to be helping others in a third world country. He knew he could die, and did it anyway, and that IS worth celebrating. But that doesn't mean I didn't cry too.

There are lots of things people do that effect others, of course. I think my rights end where yours begin. But I don't think an overzealous regulation trigger happy government counts towards that. I think at that point, we have to work on changing our government, per our part of the democracy bargin, as stated consistently by our founding fathers. If you die because I let my scorpion out, thats wrong, and my problem. If you loose the right to keep scorpions because you did nothing to fix our screwed up prison planet system, that's yours.

I agree that what I do shouldn't effect you. Where I disagree is your solution. I don't think saying things are messed up., so I want to tell you what to do, is the right answer. A better answer, would be to say, things are messed up, lets fix that.

And to your final question. I don't think there is a reason for most people under most circumstances to hold a hot scorpion. I do think it can be a good thing under rare circumstances with the rare keeper however, but this should be a MAJOR exception, and not the rule. But I also think people shouldn't be made fun of, or rejected in anyway if they choose to do so. The best thing we can do is discourage it, and inform as best as possible, mocking won't help anyone. Sometimes, harm reduction is the most honorable thing one can do. I have a friend who's a heroin addict. I don't reject him for that. I try and make sure he's using clean needles. He's always going to be an addict. I can't change that. But I can keep him from getting HIV. capiche?

 

[Nomadinexile]

Hello, I was going to stay out of this thread, but it might turn into somthing useful.

Again handling the safer scorpions helped.

Now handling medically significant species is a whole other thing. There are species in the hobby that can kill you. I know it is very rare for a healthy person to die, but it can happen. Outside of death there is still the possibility of other significant medical problems could occur. What would the cost of a sting be for the person? Loose your inverts, lots of pain, $10,000 in medical bills. To me it isn't worth it. I can't see any situation where handling is needed.

john

Thanks for adding to the conversation John.

I agree with handling milds for situations that could possibly arise with hots.
But what if you are still nervous about your hots? Don't you think a bit of handling experience with them would make you more comfortable with them if the need arose?? For example, I'm not worried about my milds anymore at all. I'm actually pretty careless when I get in my C. vittatus group cages these days, because I know how they act, and am not worried about the effects if one happens to tag me. But that doesn't mean I would be relaxed if I all of a sudden found myself having to hand catch my A. australis if I had to to keep it from escaping into the wall. I don't expect that will ever happen, as I am fairly experienced these days, and treat them like they are radioactive when I open their well made cages, yet,... Hypothetically...

As for your estimation of "cost", I'm a little confused. Why would you loose your inverts? And I for one, would not seek medical treatment unless I experience scorpionism. I would obtain pain relief and muscle relaxers from friends, but I wouldn't go to the hospital unless I was experiencing systematic symptoms. The odds of me needing treatment are not high from what I can tell. People are stung regularly around the world by all types, and most do not seek out a doctor that I can tell. Rarely do people die, and its usually only small children that do, without having access to medical treatment, and every so often, an elderly person without medical facilities available. But those odds are slim. Lot's of pain, yeah. To me, so far, It's not worth it either, but I can see why people would want to. I don't think it's a great idea, and would try and prevent it with reason, but I do see reasons why someone would or would want to. I think for the rush would be good enough for many. I know a lot of people who do much more dangerous things to get "high", or have risky sex with lots of people every night. I don't think thats a good idea either, but I can understand why they do it still.

 

[Nomadinexile]

All that I am saying is that death is inevitable, so if you get enjoyment from handling a hot animal then do it. But, on the other hand if you are handling just to show off then you should not be doing it.
Art

:clap: This is the best statement I've read on here yet. Cheers Art!

 

[H. laoticus]

H.L. I appreciate your contribution. I would like to respond in friendly debate with your post though.

I wasn't actually complaining about people driving, that was in jest, and to add perspective. Driving is dangerous. You have to do it. You choose to live where you do, and are willing to take the risk to do so. That's cool, whatever, but it is risky. Just as risky as holding hots, particularly if people there drive like people here do, texting or chatting on the phone inevitably!

I know organic food isn't cheap, and some people can't afford it, and others choose to spend their "extra" money on other things. But eating pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc., is dangerous for you and this planet. But you have to, or choose to. Thats okay. But in the long term, I think its much more unhealthy that someone holding a hot once in a while. You can choose to eat what you want, or what you have to, but others should be able to choose to hold a hot or not, imo.

I do care what happens to people. That's how I got a felony at the WTO protest. I've been in LOTS of protests and had lots of conversations, wrote letters, etc., trying to make this world a better place. But I think the best thing we can do is have freedom, even if what we are doing is dangerous. Of course we all living on this flying rock together, which is why I support your right to do what you want. That's the greatest gift I can give you. If someone wants to skydive, risking their life, but that's how they want to live, I support that. I don't support skydiving bans. If you die doing so, I will be sad for a second, then become really happy because you got to choose what you did, and you got to live life like you wanted. I care more than most, which is why I support people living the life that they choose. If it ends their life, well, they had a choice. Just like my friends celebrated another friends funeral. Not because he died, but because he died doing what he wanted, which happened to be helping others in a third world country. He knew he could die, and did it anyway, and that IS worth celebrating. But that doesn't mean I didn't cry too.

There are lots of things people do that effect others, of course. I think my rights end where yours begin. But I don't think an overzealous regulation trigger happy government counts towards that. I think at that point, we have to work on changing our government, per our part of the democracy bargin, as stated consistently by our founding fathers. If you die because I let my scorpion out, thats wrong, and my problem. If you loose the right to keep scorpions because you did nothing to fix our screwed up prison planet system, that's yours.

I agree that what I do shouldn't effect you. Where I disagree is your solution. I don't think saying things are messed up., so I want to tell you what to do, is the right answer. A better answer, would be to say, things are messed up, lets fix that.

And to your final question. I don't think there is a reason for most people under most circumstances to hold a hot scorpion. I do think it can be a good thing under rare circumstances with the rare keeper however, but this should be a MAJOR exception, and not the rule. But I also think people shouldn't be made fun of, or rejected in anyway if they choose to do so. The best thing we can do is discourage it, and inform as best as possible, mocking won't help anyone. Sometimes, harm reduction is the most honorable thing one can do. I have a friend who's a heroin addict. I don't reject him for that. I try and make sure he's using clean needles. He's always going to be an addict. I can't change that. But I can keep him from getting HIV. capiche?

I don't believe I stated any "solution" to the problem. I believe in what you said, collaboration to reach or at least work towards a solution. There are some things such as the North star that we can't reach, but we use it as a source of direction.
That's correct, I Have to do those things stated above. I am not so sure about that with people and their hot scorpions.
That is why I posed my question. I don't own any hot scorpions, therefore I asked.
It was about the need to handle, not why they handle.
I think you may have me confused with someone else, I didn't "mock" anyone.
Nor do I "reject" anyone who handles hot scorpions.
I do, however, disapprove of the action if there is no real need for it, but that doesn't mean I don't accept those who do it, capiche?

 

[super-pede]

Nomad,I have to say, you are a true leader when it comes to threads involving scorpions.
No need to worry folks, the mighty Nomad is in command!

S-P

 

[saxman146]

Someone saying that death is inevitable and giving the reason to handle their hot scorps as "I enjoy it," is not productive to this hobby. Every person who takes drugs endangers everyone else around them, right? A person can get drunk and hop into their car because they want to. They can smoke weed and jump into their care because they want to. Let me remind you that just because someone else has done it to you does not make it okay to do yourself. People handling hots (other than TRUE scientific purposes) are putting others who deal with the hobby in a mature way at risk of never having the rights to participate in this hobby again.

You do not have to die from a sting to be noticed by the media. Whether or not you died, you have hurt everyone else with your neglect. You have hurt us all in the attempt for your own personal enjoyment. I believe in freedom, but freedom exists in smaller amounts than what this country is credited for. You know as well as I do that the government can easily pass a new law at any time. One person may not have an outcome right away, but as people continue to endanger themselves, t will happen. It will never be solely because of one case. However, all that participate in this act for enjoyment/showing off/ thrills/moving them via hand when you move them into a cup or use tongs/ dares/ ect. They are to blame.

However, just owning a scorpion adds to the equation that someone will get stung. I know. But, it all comes down to being mature and reasonable about the pets that you own so others can enjoy owning the pets that they do as well.

 

[Michiel]

Someone saying that death is inevitable and giving the reason to handle their hot scorps as "I enjoy it," is not productive to this hobby. Every person who takes drugs endangers everyone else around them, right? A person can get drunk and hop into their car because they want to. They can smoke weed and jump into their care because they want to. Let me remind you that just because someone else has done it to you does not make it okay to do yourself. People handling hots (other than TRUE scientific purposes) are putting others who deal with the hobby in a mature way at risk of never having the rights to participate in this hobby again.

You do not have to die from a sting to be noticed by the media. Whether or not you died, you have hurt everyone else with your neglect. You have hurt us all in the attempt for your own personal enjoyment. I believe in freedom, but freedom exists in smaller amounts than what this country is credited for. You know as well as I do that the government can easily pass a new law at any time. One person may not have an outcome right away, but as people continue to endanger themselves, t will happen. It will never be solely because of one case. However, all that participate in this act for enjoyment/showing off/ thrills/moving them via hand when you move them into a cup or use tongs/ dares/ ect. They are to blame.

However, just owning a scorpion adds to the equation that someone will get stung. I know. But, it all comes down to being mature and reasonable about the pets that you own so others can enjoy owning the pets that they do as well.

Thank you for that response!

 

[Aschamne]

Someone saying that death is inevitable and giving the reason to handle their hot scorps as "I enjoy it," is not productive to this hobby. Every person who takes drugs endangers everyone else around them, right? A person can get drunk and hop into their car because they want to. They can smoke weed and jump into their care because they want to. Let me remind you that just because someone else has done it to you does not make it okay to do yourself. People handling hots (other than TRUE scientific purposes) are putting others who deal with the hobby in a mature way at risk of never having the rights to participate in this hobby again.

You do not have to die from a sting to be noticed by the media. Whether or not you died, you have hurt everyone else with your neglect. You have hurt us all in the attempt for your own personal enjoyment. I believe in freedom, but freedom exists in smaller amounts than what this country is credited for. You know as well as I do that the government can easily pass a new law at any time. One person may not have an outcome right away, but as people continue to endanger themselves, t will happen. It will never be solely because of one case. However, all that participate in this act for enjoyment/showing off/ thrills/moving them via hand when you move them into a cup or use tongs/ dares/ ect. They are to blame.

However, just owning a scorpion adds to the equation that someone will get stung. I know. But, it all comes down to being mature and reasonable about the pets that you own so others can enjoy owning the pets that they do as well.

Getting in a car and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is way different than handling a hot scorpion. The only person at risk while I am handling a hot scorpion is me(as opposed to anyone that happen to be in the path of the intoxicated driver), as I would have time in the event of a sting to put the scorpion back into its enclosure. People that have inadequate enclosures(one that will prevent escapes) are going to have more of an impact on getting these animals banned than the people who handle them. If another person gets stung by your hot scorpion that will have way more media and general public out cry than if I get stung by my own.

Art

 

[saxman146]

Getting in a car and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is way different than handling a hot scorpion. The only person at risk while I am handling a hot scorpion is me(as opposed to anyone that happen to be in the path of the intoxicated driver), as I would have time in the event of a sting to put the scorpion back into its enclosure.
Art

So the actions you choose to perform for you own enjoyment do not have an effect on others? You are being selfish and thinking only of yourself when you say that the only person at risk is you. We are at risk of having OUR rights taken away for someone elses negligence.

This discussion is not about which scenario is deadlier. It is about personal choices that are not being handled in a mature fashion and what the effect it will have if continued. Tell me a reason, any positive reason in which touching a thriving scorpion would be necessary. Personal enjoyment is selfish and immature, period. You endanger YOUR life and OUR rights.

If the people are not smart enough to protect themselves and make good decisions, then the government will begin making the choices for them by taking the choice itself away from the individuals.

 

[DireWolf0384]

So the actions you choose to perform for you own enjoyment do not have an effect on others? You are being selfish and thinking only of yourself when you say that the only person at risk is you. We are at risk of having OUR rights taken away for someone elses negligence.

This discussion is not about which scenario is deadlier. It is about personal choices that are not being handled in a mature fashion and what the effect it will have if continued. Tell me a reason, any positive reason in which touching a thriving scorpion would be necessary. Personal enjoyment is selfish and immature, period. You endanger YOUR life and OUR rights.

If the people are not smart enough to protect themselves and make good decisions, then the government will begin making the choices for them by taking the choice itself away from the individuals.

I understand that there is a fascination with holding hots but the impact this could have on the hobby simply scares the crap out of me. And, should one escape and hurt another person while being handled, the ramifications towards the hobby and the owner could be worse!:?

 

[paul fleming]

I don't agree with handling any spider or scorp and any one caught should be shot at dawn.
I mean,I don't care if they kill themselves but the most important thing is they may damage OUR sacred hobby.
I think this thread takes the cake....honestly.

Just to show you hobby lovers.....quote from previous post and we are talking about a hobby here,not war,murder or kids being killed.

"I understand that there is a fascination with holding hots but the impact this could have on the hobby simply scares the crap out of me"

Is it just me or does everyone else seem to be on a different planet ?

 

[DireWolf0384]

I just don't want to make any enemies by saying that I disagree with handling hots. I only handle my P. Imperator and my H. Paucidens. I know their venom is far from medically significant and know what they are capable of. I know its a very hot topic and very controversial, but when a patient goes to the hospital with an attack, sting or bite from any animal, Doctors and medical professionals are required by law to report it to the health dept and the CDC in certain circumstances. In some cases, even Law Enforcement. What those agencies do with that info is up to those agencies. They may leak it to the press.

 

[Aschamne]

I just don't want to make any enemies by saying that I disagree with handling hots. I only handle my P. Imperator and my H. Paucidens. I know their venom is far from medically significant and know what they are capable of. I know its a very hot topic and very controversial, but when a patient goes to the hospital with an attack, sting or bite from any animal, Doctors and medical professionals are required by law to report it to the health dept and the CDC in certain circumstances. In some cases, even Law Enforcement. What those agencies do with that info is up to those agencies. They may leak it to the press.

You do realize that an allergic reaction to the sting of a P. imperator or H. paucidens can be lethal. So you are saying its acceptable for you to risk the hobby because they are not considered hot, but because I handle hots its not acceptable(even though the chances of allergic reactions are the same). Like I said previously, unless I have an allergic reaction to the sting I will not see a doctor for it. And if I do have an allergic reaction then the doctor will thing that I was stung by a wasp so no red flags will be sent up.

Art

 

[Bazzgazm]

<--previous post..
you do realize you can walk outside and die from a bee sting?

guess you better just lock your door to your room

 

[AzJohn]

You do realize that an allergic reaction to the sting of a P. imperator or H. paucidens can be lethal. So you are saying its acceptable for you to risk the hobby because they are not considered hot, but because I handle hots its not acceptable(even though the chances of allergic reactions are the same). Like I said previously, unless I have an allergic reaction to the sting I will not see a doctor for it. And if I do have an allergic reaction then the doctor will thing that I was stung by a wasp so no red flags will be sent up.

Art

I'm not at all worried about an allergic reaction, especially when dealing with medically significant species. There venom packs enough punch to kill you by itself. I think the chances of the venom killing you is much higher than an allergic reaction. I'm not saying you don't have a valid point. I've seen some reports were seemingly harmless genus have had species that can deliver nasty stings. I am saying that it is much, much, more likely that a bad sting will come from a hot scorpion. If you have an allergic reaction to an emp sting at least you can say your the 1:10000 that does. A bad sting from a tityus will make you look irresponsible and question the need to allow the genus into the scorpion hobby in the US.

On a side note, you might want to reconsider your sting protocall. Telling the doctor it was a wasp sting might not be the best idea. I mentioned earlier that an andro, tityus sting doesn't require an allergic reaction to kill you or put you in the hospital. I'm pretty sure the venoms aren't alike very much. You'll end up getting the wrong treatment and could possibly make things worse. Plus the symptoms of an allergic reaction and a scorpions sting might not be very simmilar, so, some doctors might notice this and wonder what really happened.


John

 

[Toirtis]

I'm not at all worried about an allergic reaction, especially when dealing with medically significant species. There venom packs enough punch to kill you by itself. I think the chances of the venom killing you is much higher than an allergic reaction.

John

True, but with an anaphylactic reaction, the reaction is likely to kill you before the venom...its a common issue with cobra bites.

 

[Aschamne]

I'm not at all worried about an allergic reaction, especially when dealing with medically significant species. There venom packs enough punch to kill you by itself. I think the chances of the venom killing you is much higher than an allergic reaction. I'm not saying you don't have a valid point. I've seen some reports were seemingly harmless genus have had species that can deliver nasty stings. I am saying that it is much, much, more likely that a bad sting will come from a hot scorpion. If you have an allergic reaction to an emp sting at least you can say your the 1:10000 that does. A bad sting from a tityus will make you look irresponsible and question the need to allow the genus into the scorpion hobby in the US.

On a side note, you might want to reconsider your sting protocall. Telling the doctor it was a wasp sting might not be the best idea. I mentioned earlier that an andro, tityus sting doesn't require an allergic reaction to kill you or put you in the hospital. I'm pretty sure the venoms aren't alike very much. You'll end up getting the wrong treatment and could possibly make things worse. Plus the symptoms of an allergic reaction and a scorpions sting might not be very simmilar, so, some doctors might notice this and wonder what really happened.


John

With my size, it would require an allergic reaction to get me to the doctor from any spider bite or scorpion sting. And the treatment for anaphylaxis is the same regardless of the cause. You do realize that most stings of even the hottest scorpions go untreated and do not cause death. I would bet you dollars to donuts that more people are killed by their non venomous pet snakes than those that are stung by scorpions each year.

<--previous post..
you do realize you can walk outside and die from a bee sting?

guess you better just lock your door to your room

That post was in response to the people that thinks that it is OK for them to handle their P. imperators and H. paucidens, but me handling my P. transvaalicus is not. And yes you can die from bee stings also, but it does not keep me from handling them either.

Also, not all animal related deaths will get media attention. I use to know a guy that used his 14' Burmese python to commit suicide and all that was printed about that was a couple lines in a local paper. It is usually when someone else gets hurt do to your pet that gets the media attention and you don't need to be handling in order to have one escape and sting someone else.