Pandinus dictator or. imperator ?

[ljballi]

I recently obtained this scorp. and I’m having doubts on it’s identification.

 

[Diao]

Pandipalpus viatoris

 

[ljballi]

Pandipalpus viatoris

Thank you!

 

[Diao]

Thank you!

You're welcome, it's a very good looking female too, congrats! These used to be rarer than hens teeth but have been popping up in the last few years. Where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[ljballi]

You're welcome, it's a very good looking female too, congrats! These used to be rarer than hens teeth but have been popping up in the last few years. Where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks! I think she’s gorgeous! I named her Lilith (lilîtu) meaning “belonging to the night”. I figured it was a pretty fitting name

I bought her from a local herp keeper, who was getting rid of some animals. They were also unsure on the species, they told me they thought it was either p. dictator or imperator, hence my doubts.

I only spent $30 on her, so I think that’s quite a bargain.

 

[Matt Man]

We had both viatoris and imperator at the show this weekend. It was super useful in being able to teach people the difference.

 

[ljballi]

We had both viatoris and imperator at the show this weekend. It was super useful in being able to teach people the difference.

That’s really neat! I’ve found scorpions difficult to identify at times. I’m trying to learn!

 

[Matt Man]

That’s really neat! I’ve found scorpions difficult to identify at times. I’m trying to learn!

The stingers and claws on the viatoris have a reddish hue while the imperator's is more tan/brown. Also the granulation on the claws is more even on the imperator and on the viatoris, where the 'thumb claw' is get a bit less grainy. It's pretty subtle but when you have them side by side,
it is an "Okay, now I see it" moment

 

[ljballi]

The stingers and claws on the viatoris have a reddish hue while the imperator's is more tan/brown. Also the granulation on the claws is more even on the imperator and on the viatoris, where the 'thumb claw' is get a bit less grainy. It's pretty subtle but when you have them side by side,
it is an "Okay, now I see it" moment

Very interesting! I do definitely see what you’re talking about, thank you for the pointers!