Scorpion tails...

Kruggar

Arachnobaron
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
369
So! I have a question that haven't been able to really get a definite answer to. When insects are posed/pinned or illustrated with the intention of education or identification there are certain universal standards, ie dragonflies to the side with wings together... always spread out insect legs, etc.

so here is my question, to scientifically mount/illustrate a scorpion, is there a standard as to which side the tail should be displayed on? Or do they straighten them? If anyone knows, please share. thank you.

Kruggar
 

Michiel

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
May 22, 2006
Messages
3,478
It is the most handy for research purpose to straighten the metasoma. If for display purposes, you could decide to position the metasoma to the left or right side. Other standard things are opening one chela (claw) and to pull out (not off) one chelicerae and to open the "fingers"....
 

cannabeast

Arachnosquire
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
143
good question!
i havent seen many people pin them with needles. People usually put them in clear epoxy or something similar and let it dry like that, so you can hold it and look at him from every angle. I've noticed scorpions don't usually drag their tail STRAIGHT behind them, although a few species i have seen run fast, stinger straight behind. my scorpions walk around with it curled towards their head, and rest with it curved to one side. hope you get the right answer soon!

here's some links with pictures(hit ctrl+F and type scorpion on some pages):

http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/BeginnersArticles/04/f/04489A5043.html
http://www.naturepavilion.com/bubygodscand.html
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/34751/
http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-preserve-scorpion.html
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=86936
http://www.carolina.com/product/pre...s,+spiders+&+scorpions/scorpion,+preserved.do
 
Last edited:

Kruggar

Arachnobaron
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
369
Ah thanks gents. I have done lots of research on preservation methods, but nowhere had I found how to exactly position for science or display... thank you Cannabeast for all those links, some good info there.

Cheers,
Richard
 
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