What scorpion to get?

[badgerboy8608]

I'm looking into getting a scorpion but not sure which kind to get. I've read alot that Emperors are good starting ones but i'm not sold on them. I want something that is communal so I can keep more than one in the same tank. I was looking into Arizona Bark Scorps as well since they aren't burrowers and might be more visible? What do you guys think?

[qiksilver]

um... so wait... the only north american scorpion species that is considered lethal is what you want as your first scorpion?

[Shadowspider]

There are not a whole lot of scorpion species that are communial, and of those that are, aside from P. imperator, most of the others are in the Buthid family, IE, hot.
If you have never kept scorpions before, I would not advise getting a hot as your first. They are very fast and very acurate with their telson. Seeing as how Centruroides exilicauda are arboreal and thus, need vertical climbs, it makes it even easier for them to not only escape, but to strike.

You must remember, scorpions are nocturnal so, it really doesn't matter if they are burrowers or not, they're all going to hide during the day or whenever a light is put on them.

I'd stick to something less venomous for right now. Communial isn't everything, having antivenom on hand and knowing how to administer it to yourself, however, is.
If you want a "pet" that you'll actually be able to see on a regular basis, then perhaps scorpions are not the best of choices.

[badgerboy8608]

Is the bark scorpion lethal? I realize that it may not be the best first scorpion but i've also read that its lethality might be a little hyped up from the past and that it while it would hurt its not really lethal unless you're a small child or elderly or allergic?

[Schlyne]

Don't get an Arizona bark scorpion as your first. Arizona bark scorpions are definitely considered to be one of the stronger "hots" and considered to be medically significant.

You may be thinking of an Arizona desert hairy, which is a fairly large good looking beginner scorp. The sting is stronger than an emp, and I wouldn't ever advise handing a scorpion if it isn't an emperor or a flat rock (and the flat rock might just pinch you really really hard ).

If you really want some other sort of commual scorpion C. vittatus (Texas bark scorpions) or C. gracilis (Florida Bark scorpions) have milder venom than the Arizona's.

However, I would suggest you start out with an Emperor, A flat rock scorpion, or a desert hairy.

This is a desert hairy from Nevada (H. spadix)


The desert hairy's from Arizona look almost exactly the same except they are not black all the way down to the mouth. (H. arizonsis).

This is one of the flat rock scorpion species. (Hadogenes troglodytes)
http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/8...contest0cq.jpg

Florida Bark scorpion (they are also found in south america..the ones in south america have much stronger venom).
http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/c_gracilis.htm

Also, any one of these stings is going to hurt, possibly less than a bee sting, but it's hard to say. The ony sting that would probably not hurt is the flat rock scorpion. A flat rock scorpion is much more likely to pinch you with a claw than sting you. A flat rock scorpion sting is actually milder than a bee sting.

[badgerboy8608]

I was also thinking about possibly a Hadrurus arizonensis, but they were bigger and not communal. In hindsight I probably should start with something easier like that. I just didn't want to start out with an emperor and thought the Centruroides exilicauda was the best looking although with a harsher sting. Also with the Florida bark scorpion I've heard it depends on where its from, since the Florida ones might have weaker venom but that the ones from South America or elsewhere are much more potent. You said that in passing as well, if so how do you determine which ones are potent or not?

[Shadowspider]

The bark scorpions in general are hots, some more so than others. While there have been no deaths from a C. exilicauda in many years, we have antivenom to thank for that.
The problem with Florida bark scorpions is that.. well, they're from Florida and just about everything survives and thrives in Florida, including L.Qs. :eek:
Unless you are getting CBB from a reputable dealer who knows what they are doing, the chances of a "Florida" bark scorpion being from S. America is pretty high... not something you want to make an "oops" with in identification.

[abyss_x3]

I was also thinking about possibly a Hadrurus arizonensis, but they were bigger and not communal. In hindsight I probably should start with something easier like that. I just didn't want to start out with an emperor and thought the Centruroides exilicauda was the best looking although with a harsher sting. Also with the Florida bark scorpion I've heard it depends on where its from, since the Florida ones might have weaker venom but that the ones from South America or elsewhere are much more potent. You said that in passing as well, if so how do you determine which ones are potent or not?

You say your not sold to emps? Why is that. If your looking for something similar try Heteromorphus sp. I have like 3 H.spins that live comunaly with my emps.They are a lot mire active and in my opnion better looking. They don't however tend to sting and even if they do, they have vey weak venom.