L. quin questions....

[azatrox]

Hey all...new to the forum, but lovin' it....I have questions regarding my new L. quin I received a few days ago...I've kept an L. quin before, but that animal had a very pronounced black segment just prior to the sting...The animal I picked up the other day does not...It looks to be adult...Are there certain populations of L. quin that lack the black segment as adults? It's a very "flat" scorp and looks alot like L. quin...just wondering about the tail...

Also, what is the best way of differentiating between L. quin and Buthus occitanus israelis? They do look alot alike....the 5 ridges?

I have it set up in a desert terrarium, lockable lid, 2.5 gallons...sand as substrate, flat corkbark hide...It has eaten one cricket for me, but hasn't eaten the others....any pointers? It's active, and likes to spend time outside it's hidespot...but it does not move with great speed, and I know they can....Think it's sick or something?

Just so everyone knows, I've kept a wide variety of venomous animals before and currently keep a Crotalus scutulatus, Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauritanacus...I am not new to the world of "hots", but this scorps' behavior puzzled me, so I thought I'd ask...Trust me, all safety precautions are always adhered to....thanks!

-azatrox

 

[Jmadson13]

Congrats on the new addition regardless of ID. Do you have a picture by any chance?

 

[fusion121]

If it does not have the black last segment then it will not be a L.q., some L.q.s do have a faded last segment, but it is always darker. Only L.q.'s have the distinctive carinae (ridges) on the first few tergites.

 

[Eltar]

About the dark part of the "tail" - as the l.q is growing, this dark part losing it's darkness and become more yellow.

Look at my l.q.s -

yung - http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn08848it.jpg

adult - http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn12429yj.jpg

see the difference?

 

[Prymal]

Eltar,

True. Ontogenetic changes typically decrease the dark coloration of met seg V but it is always present; even if greatly reduced or faded.

And, as Oliver states above - if it does not have 5 (pentacarinate) distinct dorsal keels (carinae/ridges) on tergites I & II, it is not L. quin.

Luc

 

[Gav0r]

Are Quins a member of the Buthidae family? The reason i ask is because i like the look of them and might consider buying one instead of a H. Arizonensis (are Quins a good choice for a first scorpion?). However, in the UK, to own a member of the Buthidae family you must first apply for a dangerous animal licence.

Also does anyone know if the H. Arizonensis is from the Buthidae family?

Sorry if these are silly questions but i am new to this whole scene.

Thanks, Gavin.:?

 

[PA7R1CK]

Are Quins a member of the Buthidae family? The reason i ask is because i like the look of them and might consider buying one instead of a H. Arizonensis (are Quins a good choice for a first scorpion?). However, in the UK, to own a member of the Buthidae family you must first apply for a dangerous animal licence.

Also does anyone know if the H. Arizonensis is from the Buthidae family?

Sorry if these are silly questions but i am new to this whole scene.

Thanks, Gavin.:?

Gavin,
I would never suggest an L. quinquestriatus or any of the Buthidea family for a first scorpion. H. arizonensis would be a much better choice. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that L. quinquestriatus are of the buthidea family. Also its not a stupid queston because if you hadnt asked it could be your life at risk.

 

[Raan_Jodus]

LQ's are Buthids, Haddy's are a different family.

Many people would tell you LQ's are a bad choice for a first scorp, since any mistakes could possibly put someone in the hospital.

 

[Gav0r]

thanks bud.

Gav.

 

[Prymal]

Gav,

L. quins are members of family Buthidae and are generally considered to be the most potentially dangerous scorpion in the world. Also, they're not the most exciting lot!

Hadrurus are members of family Iuridae (some systematic schemes may disagree with this assignment) and are a better choice as a first scorp.

If you make a mistake with Hadrurus spp. the "sting" is not as bad as that delivered by most yellowjackets (= no biggie!). Make a mistake and get stung by L. quin and you could be examining daisies from the roots!

Luc

 

[Gav0r]

Once again thanks for the info chaps.

This board is amazingly informative and friendly; a rare commodity on the WWW.

Gav.

 

[azatrox]

Thanks guys....

Thanks for the info guys..I will post pics of the L. quin. when I get a chance for positive id...I wouldn't be surprised if it's an L. quin with a faded black V segment tho....

As far as recommending L. quin as a first scorp, my recommendation is most assuredly NOT! These arachnids are exceedingly venomous and given a choice for a beginner between a Hadrurus and an L. quin., the Hadrurus definitely gets the nod. It's a bit like comparing a bee sting to a last will and testament...Both species can be kept in desert vivaria, and make interesting captives...Perhaps work your way up to an L. quin, but start off with less dangerous species first, until you attain the requisite knowledge and experience.

-AzAtrox

 

[PA7R1CK]

Yep this board is very friendly Glad to have you here with us.

Once again thanks for the info chaps.

This board is amazingly informative and friendly; a rare commodity on the WWW.

Gav.

 

[ThatGuy]

could possibly be an Androctonus Ameruoxi

 

[Prymal]

Azatrox,

The easiest way to differentiate L.q. from A. australis and amoreuxi is to examine the first two mesosomal segments (tergites I & II) and count the number of ridges on these two segments. ONLY L.q. will have 5 distinct keels (hence, the common name, five-keeled scorpion) on the first two mesosomal tergites.
As for the dark coloration and extent on met seg V - the extent and darkness is affected by ontogenetic (aging) factors - as the scorpion ages, the dark coloration fades and may become reduced in some specimens. In *RARE* specimens, the dark coloration is indistinct and may be absent except on the extreme posteriad edge of met seg V.
However, the 5 keels (ridges) are ALWAYS present and are a specific morphological characteristic of this species.

Luc

 

[azatrox]

Guys....thanks for the help....counted the ridges, and there are 5, so i suppose that makes this animal an L. quin....I knew it was not an Androctonus, as I have kept these before too, and conceivably the only Androctonus that L. quin COULD realisitically be mistaken for is amourexi IMO...The others' tails are MUCH too fat! Plus, I have A. mauritanacus and A. australis too, so I know it's definitely NOT one of those....It must be a mature animal though, as it's approx 4 inches long and the black in seg V is reduced greatly...The 5 ridges gives it away though.....

-AzAtrox