Tityus sp. feeding time!

[SkyeSpider]

This little beastie is hungry. Knowing how potent its venom is, I was bothered to see it sting the cricket six times!

I'm glad I found someone to take it off my hands. I really don't feel comfortable with a critter like this.

-Bryan

 

[SkyeSpider]

Another shot.

 

[SkyeSpider]

Yet another.

 

[Ephesians]

Wow, that's a beautiful scorp, Bryan. I know you had a thread earlier describing the species...what did you say that was again? Amazing coloration. I am interested in checking into one myself. I don't mind the danger at all, can't say I have a lot to fear with the Lord's promises on my heart. Are they aggressive? (I take it as so, seeing as you comented on the 6 strikes against the cricket...lol)

In Him,
Marcus

 

[SkyeSpider]

Originally posted by Ephesians
Wow, that's a beautiful scorp, Bryan. I know you had a thread earlier describing the species...what did you say that was again? Amazing coloration. I am interested in checking into one myself. I don't mind the danger at all, can't say I have a lot to fear with the Lord's promises on my heart. Are they aggressive? (I take it as so, seeing as you comented on the 6 strikes against the cricket...lol)

In Him,
Marcus

Yes, you're right. It's VERY agressive. I've gotten it to strike at a pen, while I was moving things around in the cup.

The general concensus seems to be that it's a Tityus sp. Most people can't find them on the market.

-Bryan

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by TheEternal
The general concensus seems to be that it's a Tityus sp. Most people can't find them on the market.

This thread raises some interesting issues with the haphazard identifying and labeling that goes on in the invert pet trade. It's nice to know that you can buy a potentially deadly scorpion out there without the distributor, seller, or customer having a clue.

In the T trade, this practice is mostly annoying, but in the scorp trade it seems as though it's one accidental step away from seeing it banned and/or heavily regulated.

 

[Ephesians]

Code, I agree with you fully. When I bought my hottentotta from the Pet Store, they were selling them as "Golden Forest Scorps". They had absolutely no idea what they were. When I asked to them contact their distributor...they said something even more alerting. "Oh well, we don't even talk to him, he just ships us stuff and we sell it...he won't give is the time of day usually; we just take what he gives us." They didn't know what half of the stuff was. I am glad that it was me who bought the Hot.s and not some newbie child looking for a small, cute scorp.

 

[SkyeSpider]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
This thread raises some interesting issues with the haphazard identifying and labeling that goes on in the invert pet trade. It's nice to know that you can buy a potentially deadly scorpion out there without the distributor, seller, or customer having a clue.

In the T trade, this practice is mostly annoying, but in the scorp trade it seems as though it's one accidental step away from seeing it banned and/or heavily regulated.

I have to agree with you, Chip. It's truely frightening. If I hadn't bought that scorp, there's a good chance someone could have gotten SERIOUSLY injured. Hell, the kids at the shop were just picking up the piece of bark it was one with their fingers.

This also says a lot about some small scale dealers. The guy that sold this to them obviously cares NOTHING of the hobby. He really put it at risk doing that. On top of that, he sold them a 18 month old Pterichullis sp as a "bird eater" by showing them the 7" "father" of the spiderling. He ripped the shop off for $40 for that poor thing.

It's dealers like this guy that crippel local exotic shops carrying a good selection of tarantulas. I'm just really bothered by his actions, because I think I know him.

Sorry for the rant.

-Bryan

 

[skinheaddave]

Misidentification is a BIG problem. I once couldn't convince a guy that his "Vietnam Black" scorpion was not H.spinnifer, but instead C.gracilis. Not a potentially fatal mistake (FL population), but definitely potentialy painful. There are very few shops I've seen that provide the scientific names and most of those have made at least one mistake (usualy out of about three species, making them 33% wrong).

The thing that gets me, though, is the apparent lack of concern. Mislableing is taken as just part of the deal. It really isn't hard to ID 99% of the scorps out there just by using the scorpion files gallery. Not precise IDs, mind you, but usualy to genus. Barring that, all you really have to do is confirm that it is a Buthid. Slender chela should be setting off buzzers in these guys' heads. With very few exceptions, the worst they can do at that point is misidentify a harmless scorp as dangerous.

What ticks me off more is those stores that won't listen when I tell them. So far I haven't found any potentialy deadly mistakes. Still, some stores will change the label before I leave, others will smile and nod and probably never change the info. And then there's a store where the owner practicaly begged my forgiveness because one of his employees put that emps were from Thailand on the label. That's the kind of attention to detail I admire.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[SkyeSpider]

The shop I got the scorp from is so sick of getting burned like this that they're hiring me to work for them. They told me that they need an "invert specialist." I take that as a compliment

It's nice to see one shop making a change, eh?

-Bryan

 

[Kugellager]

That's definitely a good thing Bryan...The shop I go to has a keeper that is knowledgeable with T's and scorps. They sell neither to those under 18 and don't even put any hot stuff out for the public. Any of that stuff is usually special ordered and goes to people who know the risks.

Its a good thing that you had the foresight to look into what you had...same goes with Marcus. At least here, someone can either ID what you have or knows someone who prob will be able to ID it for you. Many of these pet stores seem to care little...Its one of these careless individuals that can end our hobby if some kid gets killed...there would be a public outcry to do SOMETHING to these 'freaks' who keep these DANGEROUS exotic monsters...even though most of us/them probably have a politically correct and potentially more dangerous carnivore with 3/4" long fangs and claws quietly sitting by our feet.

John
];')