Thinking of getting a black thicktail need info

[The Juice]

I am thinking of getting a black thicktail, but I have read a few things that worry me, that they spray venom, and a deadly sting. I don't know the scientific name, and I doubt the petstore does either. I had 4 emperors and 1 arizona hairy, but I know they have nothin on thicktails when It comes to venom. also there is a yellow thicktail at another petstore, what s the diff between black & yellow? also how big of an enclosure do they require?

 

[Kugellager]

The black scorpion is Parabuthus transvaalicus and I think the yellow is P.mossambicensis...though I suppose you also might mean Yellow Fattail which would Androctonus australis if I remember my common names.

John
];')

 

[The Juice]

yes, I mean fattail. I think I read that they are 2 black tails and one spits venom, would this one be in the pet trade, or a petstore?

 

[Eurypterid]

Yes they would be. In fact, I just ordered 2. They are great scorps, if you are comfortable with hots.

Gary

 

[Kugellager]

Just to make sure there is no confusion...The one that spits venom is Parabuthus transvaalicus and the common name for it is Black Thicktail...thats the one you want.

Just a side note...anything from the Parabuthus genus is commonly know as 'thicktails' and those from the genus Androctonus are commonly know as 'fattails'. There are of course several species in each genus. Some of which are fairly common in the scorpion hobby but NOT commonly found in your friendly local pet store...at least not out in the open.

You also want to note that P.transvaalicus has fairly potent venom which has to potential to cause serious injury...possibly death if stung. It also has the ability to spray its venom up to 3 feet (1 m).

Thats said, this species is a defensive and fast scorpion to keep...it is also one of the nice ones to keep as they don't spen as much time in their burrow as some species do.

John
];')

 

[The Juice]

well, I don't want to get the one that spits. those of you who have them, do you where glasses or safety glasses when you come in contact with them? I will ask the guy at the petstore If he knows the scientific name, but I doubt it because I have seen his order sheet and it just has common names, and I will double check and see If it is labeled "thick" or "fat" tail. does this species get labeled wrong usually, so I could think I am getting one that doesn't spit but actually get one that does? Do they (spitter,non spitter) look just alike? or is there away to tell the diff, besides getting spit on?

 

[Kugellager]

I wear safety goggles when I am working with them as the venom has been reported to cause eye damage. Some people wear those clear plastic face shields that welders use.

Parabuthus transvaalicus is very similar looking to Androctonus bicolor which does not spray its venom but does have more potent venom and attitude than P.transvaalicus. A.bicolor is one wicked scorpion. They react to the slightest movement of air or shadows passing over them by immediately going into defensive posture.

Take a look at the images in the photo gallery at the Scorpion Files website to get an idea at what both species look like. One key visual difference you may notice is that A.bicolor tends to be shiny in appearance while P.transvaalicus does not.

http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/

John
];')

 

[The Juice]

so do you think a arizona desert hairy would be a better choice? I here they can be defensive. what about a forest scorpion, a little defensive too?

 

[The Juice]

I think I will pass on the thick& fat tails. I don't want to get the wrong one and go blind. thanks for the link.

 

[Kugellager]

If you want something large, active but not potentially deadly then I would go with a desert hairy...either the Giant Desert Hairy(Hadrurus arizonensis) or the Nevada Desert Hairy(Hadrurus spadix). These are fairly active large scorpions that like to dig and do'nt spend as much time in their burrow as forest scorpions do.

Forest scorpions are also a good choice but require higher humidity (see Emporer sticky at top of Scorp forum) and you will hardly ever see them if you allow them to burrow as they like.

John
];')

 

[R14]

Hows it going? Im new here and found this post and am also intrigued. How big does P. Transvaalicus get? There is a local pet store in my area which is selling one labled as black thick tail scorpion, but it is verry small. Like quarter size, it is also a dull black {compared to my emperor}. Does this sound like a P. Transvaalicus to you guys?

 

[Brian S]

I wouldnt clip the sting at all. I keep several Parabuthus and Androctonus and have never seen the need to do that

 

[TheNothing]

clipping aculeus is no different than devenoming snakes

 

[parabuthus]

Wow I just noticed how old this thread is! Well mabybe this will still be usefull to others. Hey The Juice, If you are comfortable with trimming the tip of the stinger it can make them safer to keep. Just grab them by the tail with a pair of tweezers (use eye protection incase it decides to spray) and snip off the very tip of the stinger with a pair of nail clippers (if you cut off too much it can kill it which is why I am putting so much emphasis on TIP of the stinger!). This does not make any difference on feeding either and is completely painless for them.

What a silly thing to do -or even suggest. If you can't handle the idea of keeping a hot scorp, don't keep it. Maiming the scorp to make you feel more secure -and in turn gungho- is wrong .

 

[psionix]

can we get a mod to remove Scolopendra55's post? :wall:

 

[stonemantis]

Wow I just noticed how old this thread is! Well mabybe this will still be usefull to others. Hey The Juice, If you are comfortable with trimming the tip of the stinger it can make them safer to keep. Just grab them by the tail with a pair of tweezers (use eye protection incase it decides to spray) and snip off the very tip of the stinger with a pair of nail clippers (if you cut off too much it can kill it which is why I am putting so much emphasis on TIP of the stinger!). This does not make any difference on feeding either and is completely painless for them.

That's just as effective as removing a Ts fangs. I would never risk injury to myself or the scorpion. If somebody can't deal with all of the scorpion then get a species that fits your needs. Don't torture the scorpion for a personal preference.

 

[Scolopendra55]

I am terribly sorry to have upset you all. If it makes you feel any better I have never done this before or ever will but have just heard about doing it from an entomologist friend of mine. And yes I will remove the post. Again I am very sorry to any and all I have upset.

 

[Snake_Eyes]

For the record I've never seen my P.trans spray, as long as you use precaution you'll be fine.

 

[micjoe]

I just love it every day their is a great picture to be taken, a kodak moment if you will. One can never find his digital camera, to savor the moment, LOL, Like my death stalker sting pics :? :evil:

 

[ThatGuy]

All parabuthus have the ability to spray venom, but very rarely ever do it.