Black Thai Scorpion
| Black Thai Scorpion | ||||||||||||
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Black Thai Scaber ( Heterometrus scaber ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Heterometrus scaber | ||||||||||||
| Thorell , 1876 |
The black Thai scaber ( Heterometrus scaber ) is a species of scorpion from the genus Heterometrus in the family of Scorpionidae . The species was first scientifically described in 1876 by the arachnologist Tord Thorell . The German trivial name is a bit misleading because Heterometrus scaber does not occur in Thailand , but in India .
description
Heterometrus scaber reaches lengths of 100 to 130 mm. His pedipalps , the scissors, are broad, strong and relatively smooth. The long and pronounced sensory hair is significant.
The coloring of the scorpion runs from red-brownish to black, whereby local forms can differ somewhat. The legs and scissors can be raised lighter. The poison bladder is strong and runs from reddish brown to black. Local forms can also have a black poisonous blister.
Poison
A toxin has so far been detected in the poison of Heterometrus scaber that is particularly effective in mammals , but is also effective in insects. In 1975, Nair & Kurup demonstrated a toxic glycoprotein which, in sublethal (almost fatal ) doses, leads to hyperglycaemia in rabbits . In addition, the toxin has acetylcholinesterase and hyaluronidase activity, tryptophan , the tryptamine serotonin , phosphomonoesterase and nucleotidases as well as free hexosamines . The poison leads to a decrease in the concentration of amino acids in the blood serum of rats . In humans, a sting usually causes only local symptoms with severe pain. In this context, one also speaks of bee sting symptoms.
Way of life
As is typical for scorpions, Heterometrus scaber is nocturnal and viviparous. This species is one of the most social scorpion species and can often be found in nature with other species. The keeping of the species is quite possible with up to five animals in the terrarium. The species lives on the forest floor and during the day usually hides in the leaves between branches or under rotten wood and stones, where it also creates underground passages. The females can give birth to up to 30 young animals. Based on the litter sizes of other species from the Indian continent, one can assume on average that the litter size comprises between 15 and 20 young animals. The mother takes care of the brood and is able to distinguish its young from prey insects. The young remain on the mother's back for the first time until they molt for the first time. As soon as the chitin shell has hardened, the young animals are independent.
Heterometrus scaber primarily eats insects and other arthropods , but also small mammals . Life expectancy as a pet can exceed eight years. It should also be mentioned that this species, contrary to its Asian relatives, can be very temperamental. In case of failure, the animals can have a sibilant on it's own .
Occurrence
Contrary to its German name, Heterometrus scaber does not occur in Thailand. It can only be found in India, although the exact location is not known. The Czech arachnologist František Kovařík lists finds in the Mysore area in his book . The indication of the distribution of Heterometrus scaber over the entire Asian region is incorrect. The animals can be found in forests, dry forests and grasslands, whereby they use the ground space.
complement
Heterometrus scaber is often used as a synonym for various types of Heterometrus in pet shops. In fact, due to the rarity of the animals, one can assume that this scorpion will not be found there. Due to the false distribution of the species name, it appears to appear very often in animal keeper circles. However, it can also be assumed that this species is practically no longer available in the terrarium hobby.
literature
- Günter Schmidt: Poisonous and dangerous arachnids - human pathogenic scorpions, mites and spiders . Westarp Sciences, ISBN 978-3-89432-405-6 .
- Uwe Dost: Kosmos book of terraristics . Kosmos-Verlag, ISBN 978-3440101292 .
- Roland Stockmann, Eric Ythier, Victor Fet: Scorpions of the world . NAP Editions 2010, ISBN 978-2-913688-11-7 .
- František Kovařík: Illustrated catalog of scorpions Part 1 . ISBN 978-80-904340-0-4 .
