Saying hi!

[pwr2]

I've noticed everyone says hi in the tarantulas part of the fourms so I thought I'd say hello in the scorpion part since scorpions are my main thing.
I got my first scorpion about 3 years ago from a pet store a P.imperator it was really small and pretty mean but I got it anyways. I joined one fourm than was told this one was good for getting information about scorpions since he didnt know much about them, my first question is how long should I wait before getting a Death stalker? I just got a desert hairy the other day "H.arizonensis" I think its scientific name is. Well let me know how long you guys waited before getting a Death stalker and how mean they are and any thing else I should know.

 

[Navaros]

Welcome to the boards. The amount of time you wait is really personal preference. I would definately try to get a little more experience before getting a death stalker. And don't get one unless you can be absolutely sure the tank is escape proof, etc.

 

[pwr2]

I've got some cages i think are ecsape proof, Would a 10 gallon with small locks on it be good(locks so that small kids cannont open it) it's pretty hard to open without the locks.(just want to be safe)

 

[Richard_uk]

I think you have to ask yourself the question 'why do i want a deathstalker??'
The jump from an emperor and a desert hairy to a deathstalker is a big one. There are hundreds of other scorpions, easier to look after with various qualities such as colouration, aggressiveness to keep you more than happy. If the answer deep down inside you is that you simply want a scorpion you can show off wich is possibly lethal then perhaps you shouldn't be keeping scorpions at all.
This is a species that I wouldn't keep, EVER. I love scorpions but I am not prepared to take on such a responsibility of looking after such a dangerous creature. I feel if you must have this particular species (and any similar dangerous scorps such as Androctonus, Parabuthus etc) then you must have had a LOT of experience keeping other species before diving in at the deepend.

Not a rant, just my 0.2p (GBP!) worth

 

[Dessicata]

I don't understand why anyone except arachnologists (for research purposes) would want to keep dangerous animals. Even if they are potentially lethal, you get tagged, and you live to tell the tale, whats to say the next time it gets you, you wont have developed an allergy to it? Far too risky IMHO, but then again, they have a certain allure. I love P. Transvaalicus, but would be too afraid EVER to keep one (besides, i dont think i'd like to pay for a DWA )

 

[skinheaddave]

I don't understand why anyone except arachnologists (for research purposes) would want to keep dangerous animals.

Because species are different. If all scorpions were the same, we could all just keep emps and that would be the full experience. This is not the case, however. At this point in time, I am looking to keep pretty much any species (though I obviously have directions I'd like to go ... deeper into Liochelidae, for example). Some of the Buthids, including the most dangerous ones (though I think you are overestimating the danger here), are quite fascinating. I have the experience and the wherewithal to keep them succesfully so why not? It is not something I would recommend be taken lightly or undertaken prematurely -- but it is definitely an experience for those who are willing and able.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Dessicata]

Yeh, I suppose I'm looking at it from an inexperienced POV. But the danger factor would still scare me s***less.

 

[skinheaddave]

But the danger factor would still scare me s***less.

Nothing wrong with that. Fear is what keeps us from walking into traffic.

For me, the fear passed well before I got my first hot and the aprehension has since also passed. What is still with me, however, is an appreciation of the risks and a respect for the capabilities of these species.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Dessicata]

Fear isn't there with me for a lot of things though, thats the weird part. I keep poecilitheria, and some rear fanged snakes with venom potency like that of a pokie. Theres the added risk that i could be allergic to bites, as my mother is to insect venom, i dont know if its hereditary or not. The thing with the scorpions is theyre illegal in this country, maybe my subconcious has been programmed to be wary of this, i dunno.

 

[G. Carnell]

you have never been stung then?
there are 3 types of people:
those who never get stung and are naturally very prudent,
those who get stung once, and LEARN their lesson
those who dont learn

you can learn the easy way with an emp or hard way with a buthid ("dangerous")
im not sure how dangerous pokies are but i hope you get your fear back soon,
i got stung by my h.spinifer, and now i dont like touching my scorpions much, especially the wild caught ones

 

[Dessicata]

pokies are very potent. I have no fear of them because i know how dangerous they are, and I have NEVER handled them and never would (to the exception of .5 inch slings).

 

[skinheaddave]

George,

I've never been stung. I expect that I will someday, though, because I take calculated risks. What does that make me?

As for fear, it is fine if it keeps you from having dangerous animals, but if you have them it is the last thing you want. Fear skews your perception, messes with your reactions and can even cause your hands to shake. Respect will keep you from getting hurt. Fear will get you hurt.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[G. Carnell]

lol true, but fear stopped me getting bitten by a moral eel while i was skuba diving, i saw one flick of a yellow and black tail and i was ---------------> wayyy that way,
it probably didnt want to bite me, but it opened its mouth, and "sh*t"

true it can be a hindrance, it took me like 15 minutes to catch my first black widow, and it was playing dead hehe

you wont get stung, you dont handle your scorps (?)

 

[skinheaddave]

you wont get stung, you dont handle your scorps (?)

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=22585
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=21193
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=9819
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=8990
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=3722

Add field collecting in the States to that and you see why I figure I will get stung. Now explain to me how this makes fear good?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[G. Carnell]

ok, ill stop presuming in future,
dunno why you have not been stung yet, maybe luck or god, if he existed,
ive only collected scorp about 5 times and ive been stung lots of times, this is kindov misleading as i had to pick the scorps up by hand.

if you were scared of them, maybe you wouldnt feel the need to hold them close to your skin.

lol i didnt know c.gracillis were that small as babies

 

[skinheaddave]

dunno why you have not been stung yet, maybe luck or god, if he existed,

I like to think that having years of scorpion experience for every hour I've spent handling something helps the odds a bit. I also like to think that having a steady hand and calm mind helps a lot. Even if I didn't actively seek to handle my scorpions, there have been some times over the years where being perfectly comfortable around them has helped out a lot. I don't need fear to keep my hand out of my L.quinquestriatus enclosures -- respect will do just fine.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Eurypterid]

Add field collecting in the States to that and you see why I figure I will get stung.

Yeah, this is where I expect to get it, if ever. It's easy to avoid being stung by your own captive animals, as long as you take the proper precautions. But collecting is done on their home turf in a largely uncontrolled environment. Sometimes the unexpected happens, and you can get tagged. I haven't had it happen yet, but I've come close a couple of times, and I expect that eventally I will. Still, I'm not at all afraid. I know the risks, and I accpet them. I'm much more worried that someone working with me will get tagged. I know the actual danger even if I get tagged is small, and I'm confident in my abilities to deal with it.

I've also kept some of the more dangerous species, and again, I don't have any fear of them. I know their capabilities, I design my enclosures to ensure that risk is minimized, and I don't take unnecessary risks when caring for them. And again, I'm very well aware of the possible effects of a sting from any of them, and am confident that I could deal with the situation if it did occur.

This confidence, as Dave says, comes from years of experience. Although I'm much newer to scorps than many here, I've kept wild (and venomous/aggressive) animals all my life. I have also had a lot of professional experience in designing safety protocols for other activities. So I'm not overconfident. I know that I can keep my head in the event I get tagged, no matter the species, and I know I've done everything I can to reduce the chance that it ever happens.

I would definitely recommend keeping several more scorps before moving on to the hots. First, you really do need to get familiar with just how fast, cryptic, and aggressive scorpions can be. An emp isn't particularly good for learning any of those things, as they are relatively slow, easy to spot, and generally not very aggressive. Desert hairies are a step up, but still far from something like a Deathstalker.

Also, there are so many very cool scorps out there that you miss if you just think of the buthids as the end-all, be-all of scorpions. Dave mentioned the liochelids, for example. Some very different and cool scorps in that group, as well as a couple of really interesting genera among the scorpionids that are easily found in the pet trade too. The hots can be a lot of fun, but my favorites are usually some of the more unusual species.

And if you're going to keep the hots, you should probably get a year or two of experience working with some of the less venomous species of Centruroides. They'll give you a bit more appreciation for just how fast and difficult to spot a scorpion can be.

Gary

 

[skinheaddave]

If I may be indulged, I will shoot off on a little tangent.

Gary mentioned the cryptic nature of scorpions, which is something I think is too often neglected. Even when you can locate some of these species, you really can't get a good idea of their movements or the location of such fun things as their sting.

That is why when I am working with these cryptic specimens -- or in any conditions where I could overlook the location/movement of a scorpion -- I throw my blacklight headlamp on. Even in good lighting, the glowing of the scorpions gives me the added edge to ensure that I haven't overlooked one. This is especially useful when dealing with extremely quick, cryptic scorpions that are good at climbing. Centruroides and Lychas pop to mind. I've been dealing with Centruroides a lot recently due to the births and I am sure I have gone through most of my batteries by now.

Cheers,
Dave

Cheers,
Dave

 

[pwr2]

I'm not getting a Death stalker I'm gonna get some non deadly scorpions can any one tell me some good ones

thanks

 

[Kugellager]

I would also recommend, as Dave has, to use a blacklight of some sort when working with any scorpions that camoflouge well...especially if you are keeping them communally. I ALWAYS use my blacklight when working with some of my more venomous small-sized Centruroides colonies or other nasty Buthids. More than one time my blacklight has saved me from picking up a piece of bark and getting stung by an early instar or sub-adult Centruroides. These guys blend invisibly in with the bark even in good lighting. A blacklight is a must.

Colonial enclosures aside...I also use my blacklight with my other hots to let me know if they are hiding in the shadows or near/under the water dish if I don't see them right away...this also has helped me avoid a few surprises. Yes I do put my hand in the enclosure with some of my hots...but this is only after I'm absolutely sure I know where the scorpion(s) is(are) and that it is not within reach of my hand...If I have any doubts I use my tongs.

John
];')