[ID ME] Found a scopling

[Randy]

Hey guys, i am not good in ID'ing scorpions so i thought i'd post it here and see if anyone happens to know what species this is. Its around 2 cm (tip to tip) and yes its pretty small so an accurate ID is not possible buy maybe an educated guess ?

oh in case you're wondering, i found this scorpion in between the Buah Duku's i bought today and it came out when i took the duku's out to eat. (Buah Duku is a local Malaysian or maybe asian fruit)

It's kinda weak so hopefully it can survive to grow bigger..

 

[r8frazer]

not a clue but it looks really cool! Im sure someone will ID this for you!

 

[Murziukas]

Lychas sp.?

 

[quiz]

Lychas sp.?

that's what i'm thinking too.

 

[Steffen]

I'd agree on Lychas (perhaps mucronatus?).

 

[kahoy]

probobly marmoreus, its a lychas sp. if youll look on the last metasoma.

not sure too...

 

[Randy]

I'd agree on Lychas (perhaps mucronatus?).

I think it is! i googled it and all the pictures of scorplings that came out looks almost identical ! But i cant find any information sheet on this species, any info from u guys ? venem ? Origin ? Temperament ? etc ?

oh and also i noticed that most of the pictures of this species are in trees, do they happen to be arboreal ??

 

[Brian S]

oh and also i noticed that most of the pictures of this species are in trees, do they happen to be arboreal ??

They are a typical Bark Scorpion. They often hide among tree bark but also on ground litter too

 

[Prymal]

Randy,

Currently, only 5 Lychas spp. are reported from Malaysia:

L. flavimanus (Thorell, 1888)
L. hosei (Pocock, 1891)
L. mucronatus (Fab., 1758)
L. scutilus C.L. Koch, 1845
L. shelfordi (Borelli, 1904)

L. marmoreus (C.L. Koch, 1844) while similar to L. mucronatus, is restricted to the Australian Region (Australia & New Guinea) and L. mucronatus to the Oriental Region including, Malaysia and has also been introduced into Japan.
Also, L. marmoreus is spotted over all surfaces whereas, L. mucronatus is not.
Also, L. marmoreus is smaller than L. mucronatus with males approx. 35 mm in length and fems 30 mm. Lychas mucronatus adult males and females are typically in the range of 40-65 mm in total length (excluding the telson).

The specimen you have is L. mucronatus. Based on the length and width of the metasoma segments it appears to be a female. If possible, can you provide the specimen's overall length? Thank you.

Best Regards...Luc

 

[Randy]

its still very small, probably 1.5 to 2 cm including the tail. Will try to take a photo of it on a ruler for a more clear picture of its size

 

[Prymal]

Randy,

The photo is unnecessary if your measurements are near-accurate. Specimens of both sexes can reach sexual maturity at/around 40 mm.
They're a beautiful, inoffensive, hardy, easy to care for species from semi-arid (China) to mesic woodland (Indonesian Region) regions in sub-tropical and tropical habitats.
They are habitat opportunists that can be found in terrestrial and arboreal habitats; leaf litter, surface debris, in punky wood of stumps and downed trees, under bark of standing or felled trees, in tree holes, under rocks, in gardens, etc.
Despite their incredible ability to adjust to varying habitats and environments, in captivity they tend to do best in a typical mesic environment (RH 60-80%; Temps 26-29C), with both, terrestrial and arboreal retreat options.
They are also very communal and do very well when kept in groups.
Behaviorally, they tend to be secretive, shy and reclusive preferring to remain hidden in retreats during the day and in close proximity to a retreat entrance during night and crepuscular periods. While specimens very rarely react defensively and attempt to "sting", they are capable runners and exceptionally fast in their movements. However, their most typical form of passive defense is to use their cryptic coloration and the dorsoventral compression of their bodies apressed against structure such as tree bark to elude detection. Secondary defense involves high-speed dashes to the secure confines of structure or a nearby retreat.
Despite their small size, they are highly-skilled and competent hunters that rely on the scorpion's stereotypical sit-and-wait tactics to ambush and capture prey but will also willingly forage errantly when hungry.
They are quite capable of capturing and subduing prey much larger than would be expected from such a small scorpion. A 50 mm specimen can easily capture and subdue a full grown cricket (A. domesticus), with no problem.
While their venom is not typically considered of medical significance, reports of envenomations by this species indicate that the sting is very painful but only produces short-term localized effects e.g. local and proximal radial pain, swelling, redness, etc.

Good luck...Luc

 

[Steffen]

Good info thx. Getting a pair of these tomorrow.

 

[Prymal]

Steffen,

Good choice of scorp! They're not the most impressive species (size) but they are fascinating and very interesting to observe. Aside from a group from Eastern China, I also have a mixed group of L. mucronatus and M. m. martensii that are doing well together. I also have 2 high-gold females from Vietnam. You'll quickly come to admire these small buthids.

Luc

 

[Steffen]

Well I have lots of other Lychas species, but just not mucronatus. And I totally agree. Small buthids are cool!

Owner of:

Babycurus jacksoni
Mesobuthus martensii
Lychas sp. "Phillipines" (soon)
Lychas mucronatus
Lychas laevifrons
Orthochirus scrobiculosus negebensis (Still haven't figured out the best way to keep these. Got any info?)

...and ofcourse the occasional Pandinus emperator and Heterometrus.


...wait... you are keeping Mesobuthus and Lychas together?

 

[G. Carnell]

high gold?
Lychas from Vietnam?


where did you find this specimen!
havnt ever seen Lychas sp from Viet-nam available!

 

[quiz]

Well I have lots of other Lychas species, but just not mucronatus. And I totally agree. Small buthids are cool!

Owner of:

Babycurus jacksoni
Mesobuthus martensii
Lychas sp. "Phillipines" (soon)
Lychas mucronatus
Lychas laevifrons
Orthochirus scrobiculosus negebensis (Still haven't figured out the best way to keep these. Got any info?)

...and ofcourse the occasional Pandinus emperator and Heterometrus.


...wait... you are keeping Mesobuthus and Lychas together?

\
Hi,
Best way to keep Orthochirus scrobiculosus negebensis is in well compacked fine grain of sand. They are strong burrower and I keep them at temperature between 18C-30C. I don't think enclosure matters because this guys are really small.

 

[Steffen]

Thx quiz. How about humidity. 50-60% I guess?

 

[quiz]

Thx quiz. How about humidity. 50-60% I guess?

I keep mine dry because those guys are found in the desert. I'd probably offer water every 2 weeks

 

[Steffen]

50-60% is dry.

 

[Prymal]

George,

I should have placed that statement in parentheses as the locality is suspect. I acquired them from a local specialist herptile supplier who said he acquired them from someone overseas.
The high-gold is just that - unlike the typical L. mucronatus, this variant has a higher amount of gold (yellow) coloration. Morphologically they are identical.
I've also seen photos of very dark specimens.

Take care...Luc