How dangerous is a deadly scorpion

[The Snark]

and as far as sports equestrian is #1 for Cranial / Spinal injuries. One of my clients was badly kicked in the head by her beloved horse. Major facial surgery, head swelling. coma.

Meh. She got off lucky. Like my other, saw scale only nicked her pants leg. And Christopher Reeve as a star spangled poster boy only elicits the people to think, "It can't happen to me!"

 

[Matt Man]

Meh. She got off lucky. Like my other, saw scale only nicked her pants leg. And Christopher Reeve as a star spangled poster boy only elicits the people to think, "It can't happen to me!"

Reeves was one of those 'equestrian athletes' with a SCI. Horse stops and you endo right on top of your head. Clinging to the reins prevents your arms from breaking any of the fall

 

[The Snark]

Horse stops and you endo right on top of your head. Clinging to the reins prevents your arms from breaking any of the fall

Horses or hots. UNPREDICTABLE. Not many on the planet more trained and experienced than Steve Irwin. If you think you have a solid handle on all eventualities, take yourself aside and do a get real riot act lecture - smack yourself in the face even, Reality Check!
Like Melody suddenly deciding to try out flying and backing off that cliff. I was supposed to see that one coming? (Actually, I did see it coming, or at least took all the proper precautions. Feet out of the stirrups, watching her ears like a hawk, slack reins in one hand, the other on the cantle for more balance. I won't even use a loop rein just in case it gets wrapped. .............
Reeve discovered the little jump and planting the forehooves solid. 30 to zero faster than you can blink. I know that drill. Fiesty? Always shift your butt a little to the side. Prance dance sidestep stop, you go over to the side, land on your shoulder and roll.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Out of curiousity, how dangerous could it be for a responsible adult but a novice to keep a very dangerous scorpion? You obviously have to keep them in safe tank and thankfully they cant climb glass. If you ever stick your hands into the tank which you should not do, you must wear thick gloves as they like numerous critters can "teleport" (move with superfast speed).

Is my assessment of the dangers correct or am I missing something?

Nope, gloves are no guarantee they are usually just puncture resistant not puncture proof. A novice should begin with non medically significant species. These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults. If you do not know what you are doing or have no clue on how to properly manage these creatures, you may find the reward is not worth risk. With that said, adult fatalities from scorpion stings are quite rare. But age groups <16 y/o; >50 y/o; and the immunocompromised (cardiovascular, respiratory, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, etc) are the highest risk groups with a much greater occurance of severe envenomations and fatalities. You are currently a member of the second highest risk group.

But I reiterate: These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are a crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Nope, gloves are no guarantee they are usually just puncture resistant not puncture proof. A novice should begin with non medically significant species. These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults. If you do not know what you are doing or have no clue on how to properly manage these creatures, you may find the reward is not worth risk. With that said, adult fatalities from scorpion stings are quite rare. But age groups <16 y/o; >50 y/o; and the immunocompromised (cardiovascular, respiratory, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, etc) are the highest risk groups with a much greater occurance of severe envenomations and fatalities. You are currently a member of the second highest risk group.

But I reiterate: These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are a crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults.

Hot scorpions are way deadlier than any tarantulas(none are ) so should not be owned by a beginner, hell I wouldn’t even buy a fat tail scorpion I’m not that experienced. Let the pros handle dangerous pets. If anything I’m a beginner/ intermediate on scorpions only owned 1. Fatal Scorpions aren’t to be played around with … x-x

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Hot scorpions are way deadlier than any tarantulas(none are ) so should not be owned by a beginner, hell I wouldn’t even buy a fat tail scorpion I’m not that experienced. Let the pros handle dangerous pets. If anything I’m a beginner/ intermediate on scorpions only owned 1. Fatal Scorpions aren’t to be played around with … x-x

That is a healthy sound respect I commend. Medically significant scorpion need to be kept by mature, responsible, and experienced keepers.

As I said these little beasties are packing genuine lethal power but their stings can lack it in lethal volume in regards to healthy adults.

Mild envenomations can occur and as do frequently moderate non life threatening envenomations can occur. Nonetheless, their stings are potentially life threatening and time limiting medical emergencies. Immediate medical attention should be sought regardless. A hospital or clinic will keep the sting victim under observation and will provide symptomatic supportive care. Better safe than sorry. But a real boss respects these creatures and is never stung.

 

[Joen4]

Nope, gloves are no guarantee they are usually just puncture resistant not puncture proof. A novice should begin with non medically significant species. These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults. If you do not know what you are doing or have no clue on how to properly manage these creatures, you may find the reward is not worth risk. With that said, adult fatalities from scorpion stings are quite rare. But age groups <16 y/o; >50 y/o; and the immunocompromised (cardiovascular, respiratory, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, etc) are the highest risk groups with a much greater occurance of severe envenomations and fatalities. You are currently a member of the second highest risk group.

But I reiterate: These scorpion pose a real potential risk of severe envenomation that are a crucial time limiting medical emergencies. And any dangerous potentially life threatening systemic symptons can take longer to manifest themselves in adults.

Thanks for your concern. The main concern I see is the escape risk and it appears to be preventable. I would be very unpopular if an emperor scorpion escaped and showed up at Ms. Peterson, but of course it would be much more terrible if a deadly critter stung one my +80 year old neigbors. I have a feeling I would be on the suspect list of persons likely to have such a thing where I live . That is of course a concern although I would have no fear in poking the critter with a thong or grabing the water dish with it. It was never an issue with my eyelash viper or any of the harmless reptiles and insects I have kept except of course the plague of escaping crickets.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

Thanks for your concern. The main concern I see is the escape risk and it appears to be preventable. I would be very unpopular if an emperor scorpion escaped and showed up at Ms. Peterson, but of course it would be much more terrible if a deadly critter stung one my +80 year old neigbors. I have a feeling I would be on the suspect list of persons likely to have such a thing where I live . That is of course a concern although I would have no fear in poking the critter with a thong or grabing the water dish with it. It was never an issue with my eyelash viper or any of the harmless reptiles and insects I have kept except of course the plague of escaping crickets.

Medically significant scorpions I imagine are more manageable than a eyelash viper it is a matter of keeping it secure and never sticking your bare hands where they never belong. Tools of the trade are quite simple 10"-12" tongs / hemostats and catch cups with removable snap tight lids while armed with diligent safety concerned imagination. Let your enclosure decor be cork bark due to its lightweight ease of moving and removal with tongs.

Here I am moving my A. crassicauda:

View attachment InShot_20221231_034527536.mp4

 

[The Snark]

Medically significant scorpions I imagine are more manageable than a eyelash viper it is a matter of keeping it secure and never sticking your bare hands where they never belong.

On a slight sidetrack. What percentage of animal keepers, learn or know, and rigidly follow the methods and procedures of keeping hots in general plus the traits and abilities of a specific specimen?
I still advocate a crotalid as the primary learning tool. Lessons learned will never be forgotten, unless death gets involved. The 100% hazard factor. Eliminate all variables such as maybe, probably, and the ever popular "I'm very careful". I especially like that one. You don't have to be careful. Strike zone is strike zone. Enter it and the individual has proven they should never keep a hot. Cut and dried, black or white.

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

On a slight sidetrack. What percentage of animal keepers, learn or know, and rigidly follow the methods and procedures of keeping hots in general plus the traits and abilities of a specific specimen?
I still advocate a crotalid as the primary learning tool. Lessons learned will never be forgotten, unless death gets involved. The 100% hazard factor. Eliminate all variables such as maybe, probably, and the ever popular "I'm very careful". I especially like that one. You don't have to be careful. Strike zone is strike zone. Enter it and the individual has proven they should never keep a hot. Cut and dried, black or white.

I have never kept any hot snake also I live in California where its heavily regulated and only local Crotalid species are legal. But not every county and city in California has legalized keeping local Crotalid species.

Not only do hot snakes especially viperidae have greater strike speed and greater range than a scorpion but greater venom volume per a strike. And they are much larger animals and glass doesn't really impair their mobility at all only its height and locking doors/tops.

 

[Joen4]

Medically significant scorpions I imagine are more manageable than a eyelash viper it is a matter of keeping it secure and never sticking your bare hands where they never belong. Tools of the trade are quite simple 10"-12" tongs / hemostats and catch cups with removable snap tight lids while armed with diligent safety concerned imagination. Let your enclosure decor be cork bark due to its lightweight ease of moving and removal with tongs.

Thank you very much for your advice about hot scorps, I can tell you have the experience I look for. I will keep it in mind.

As a sidenote Bothriechis schlegelii has never killed anyone with the possible and much disputed exception case of a guy that was bit in the tongue. It is small snake (one of my requirements) and the venom delievery is small. But depending on the cases and people's reactions, it is bad or very bad. So you definetly dont want a bite and I would also consider it very avoidable. They generally have a mellow temper, but of course that superfast strike. It is a different ball game with a superfast defensive high energy snake as mambas and most cobras of which I have no desire or interest in

I think there are other kinds of beautiful tree vipers that indeed are deadly, so you should be careful picking the right one if you buy.

 

[Asti]

Not a scorpion but a similar dillemma ... I really dig the look of OBT's and honestly I do like the tantrum's and drama (I work with kids, I enjoy a wide range of emotions hehe). For myself, I would be okay with the risk of their venom, but I have two young kids myself and even though I can lay down a ton of rules and checks ... there could always be a chance of them somehow getting bitten. No clue how that scenario would form, but if it happens it would also spark a 'why do people keep venomous animals!' and I do NOT want to harm the hobby that way. And my kids are growing up with a lot of respect and knowledge about the less cuddly animals, but they will bring home friends who are clueless. I already need to have the standard talk to stop tapping the aquarium and not to chase our house rabbit if it hops away. A lot of kids see animals as objects or are just generally clueless.

I love explaining kids how stuff works, but I can't simply start every playdate with a huge lecture on risks and venom.

So ... for now only new world stuff.

 

[Joen4]

Not a scorpion but a similar dillemma ... I really dig the look of OBT's and honestly I do like the tantrum's and drama (I work with kids, I enjoy a wide range of emotions hehe). For myself, I would be okay with the risk of their venom, but I have two young kids myself and even though I can lay down a ton of rules and checks ... there could always be a chance of them somehow getting bitten. No clue how that scenario would form, but if it happens it would also spark a 'why do people keep venomous animals!' and I do NOT want to harm the hobby that way. And my kids are growing up with a lot of respect and knowledge about the less cuddly animals, but they will bring home friends who are clueless. I already need to have the standard talk to stop tapping the aquarium and not to chase our house rabbit if it hops away. A lot of kids see animals as objects or are just generally clueless.

I love explaining kids how stuff works, but I can't simply start every playdate with a huge lecture on risks and venom.

So ... for now only new world stuff.

Some things are off limits for daddys with small children. You cant keep animals that will kill or make you very sick anymore than you can bring home a STD to the lady. There are keepers of real hots that have small children. They hopefully have a secure off limits room with several locks on, but can a risc be 100% ruled out?

 

[Asti]

Some things are off limits for daddys with small children. You cant keep animals that will kill or make you very sick anymore than you can bring home a STD to the lady. There are keepers of real hots that have small children. They hopefully have a secure off limits room with several locks on, but can a risc be 100% ruled out?

Mommy here (we women are in the hobby to). I'm limited to keeping everything in the livingroom since I have no room to dedicate to it and we don't heat other rooms in winter. Which means that my kids (and their playmates) will be around them unattended.

And I'm sorry what ... you see it as a realistic and considerable risk that you are bringing an STD home to your wife? That's a turn of topic I did not expect here.

 

[Joen4]

Mommy here (we women are in the hobby to). I'm limited to keeping everything in the livingroom since I have no room to dedicate to it and we don't heat other rooms in winter. Which means that my kids (and their playmates) will be around them unattended.

And I'm sorry what ... you see it as a realistic and considerable risk that you are bringing an STD home to your wife? That's a turn of topic I did not expect here.

I understand perfectly and good decision to not have an OBT as long as the kids are around. As far as I can tell, they will not damage you permanently, but the pain is tremendous. Excuse my sexism. It is "men's locker room talk" . I can get worse but will stop here. And yes I know there are girls in the hobby too. I know a Swedish girl in her 20s who keep numerous hots, including Coral Cobras. They are fairly friendly cobras but deadly