Not another P.imp ID thread

[JamieLawrence]

Hi all. Long time lurker, 8 years and first post haha.

I'm going to look at some supposedly Pandinus imperator babies at the weekend and was after some opinions whether you think they are genuine. The sellers seems genuine and the white telsons are a good sign but I'm still a bit paranoid they could be some Heterometrus or P. dictator.

I know this topic is done to death and it's a hard one but any thoughts appreciated, cheers!

 

[Galapoheros]

My guess is that they are imperator, the common heterometrus on the market usually have dark telsons at a young age. Very unlikely they are dictator, dictator is much more rare that imperator in the market. Some dealers are selling imperator as dictator. I would grab dictator before I'd go for imperator because imperator will come and go much more often that dictator will imo. Does the seller have the parent there where you are going? I'd take a pic of it if so.

 

[Collin Clary]

Would need a picture of an adult to properly identify. At this age it's impossible to even narrow it down to a genus without looking at the trichobothria.

 

[JamieLawrence]

Ok cheers guys I understand it's pretty impossible from those pics and age was a long shot. I guess I'm more trying to decide whether its worth grabbing a couple to see what they grow into. Not much available here other than the typical Hets and WC stuff.

I don't think they have the parents there to see unfortunately. So I take it having the white telsons as young doesn't completely rule out Heterometrus? Suppose I'd be happy with either Pandinus for the price.

 

[Collin Clary]

Ok cheers guys I understand it's pretty impossibleSo I take it having the white telsons as young doesn't completely rule out Heterometrus?

No, but it does rule out H. petersii, which means that even if they are Heterometrus, they're a more uncommon species.