Scorpion

I whacked this guy so he's not all together its self.
He was on the back of my chair on my side thought he was tough.

[Edited on 7-23-2009 by Russ]

not as tough as you eh Russ....we found this fatty meditating under a rock at Beth's place.

I'll repeat that I'm no expert, but I have done some reading, and have a little personal experience. To my knowledge, in the US and Baja, there are no scorpions which are trully "deadly". They can however be a very serious threat to the very young and the physically infirm. I've encountered several different kinds of alacranes in BCS, and according to the locals the most painful sting is delivered by a guy whose name is Centruroides exilicauda. Exilicauda means slender tail, and they are pretty easy to recognize when compared to others in their genus by that characteristic alone. Arizona Bark Scorpion is another name. Here is what Scott Stockwell has to say about them...

"""""Note that the Arizona Bark scorpion is considered 'Medically Significant', which leaves it as the sole species of scorpion native to the North American continent to hold that dubious honour.

Its venom is primarily neurotoxic, and from my own experiences, the sting reports at the ArachnoBoards forums, as well as most of the more recent medical documentation regarding this species are pretty much correct; serious pain at the site of the sting and/or severe local edema and persistent redness are generally a good (and almost entirely conclusive) sign that one was *not* stung by C. exilicauda. Their stings deliver a neurotoxin, and they don't appear to have as many (or, perhaps, any) of the pain-causing components of the stings of many other species of scorpions. In all honesty, the times I've been stung, I've been lucky to feel a tap at the site of the sting, as they can deliver a sting with the grace of an old nurse giving a shot (sharp needle = no pain). In all honesty, the claws on their feet hurt more if they're clinging to the skin of your forearm, I think, than the immediate touch of their sting. I was once subjected to the delight of one stinging me right before my eyes (though I could have destroyed her and not been stung -- it was a large ∓ feisty female that stung me that time -- my goal was to preserve her, which I managed to do), with such deliberation that I almost didn't believe it -- it didn't actually hurt a bit, even seeing her do it. I was still half-heartedly hoping my eyes were playing tricks on me when I felt that tingling spread rapidly throughout my arm, however...

In any event, I'm just trying to ensure that no one decides to keep Barks without knowing about everything involved. True, they haven't killed anyone in decades (not since the 1960's). True, they probably haven't ever posed a serious threat to anyone over the age of 16 or so (I am not aware of anyone > 60 killed by envenomation, though older people are listed as being at a greater risk than your average 30 year old). However, I'm not about to go on a rant about how their danger might have been, well, slightly exaggerated, perhaps, to drum up funding -- I'm not claiming it was, mind you; I mean, how would *I* know?

In any case, just because *I* haven't had any serious reactions (barring the first time I was stung, and while it was hardly a major medical emergency, the first 12-18 hours were distinctly unpleasant, and even the next day had a reasonably high 'suck' factor), does not mean that YOU will NOT. """""Stockwell knows his stuff.

The biggest scorpions I have personally had contact with are commonly called Giant Hairy Desert Scorpion. I found one in my yard that measured 6" from pedipalp to telson. (claws to tip of tail) It is my understanding that pound for pound they don't pack much of a whollop.

Here's the giant.

[Edited on 7-24-2009 by vgabndo]

That is Hadrurus Arizonensis Pallidus in the picture above, and that is a size 8 boot print for scale. Below is the Exilicauda for comparison.



[Edited on 7-24-2009 by vgabndo] spelling

[Edited on 7-24-2009 by vgabndo]

A good tip aboutthe UV light, but don't trust it completely. For a couple of days after they shed their skins they don't flouresce. Their empty skins do though!

This one is still full.

We have both been stung by scorpions in Bahia Asuncion and were surprised. As Shari said, a red ant bite or a bee sting is much worse.

It was a little one that got me on the finger---hurt when it hit and then I waited and waited for what never came. I was expecting a reaction like one would have from one of the Sonoran desert scorpions. Ended up with a tiny swelling, little bit of itching.

John has been hit twice moving rocks---both by the bigger ones---they are scary looking! Worst one just itched like heck for a week.

So, at least we have an agreement that Bahia Asuncion scorpions, while not friendly, or at least not really dangerous.

this morning we found this guy trying to eat a large spider...
he had the spider in his mouth

NOT the first thing you want to wake up to

he crossed the line...he knew the rule...

[Edited on 7-26-2009 by Bob and Susan]

I love visiting Arizonia but now besides watching out for all the rattlesnakes, the really nasty scorpions, I need to watch for spiders chasing me? Yikes!

Tis a beautiful area, however.

Diane

I'm with Debra.
I've been stung several times, the worst one being by a small one in the tip of my middlefinger. Like putting your finger on a hotplate on high. Had no feeling in that finger for more then a month.
However, a few weeks ago I had the misfortune to get hit in the ankle by a stingray, which made the scorpion sting childsplay. Ended up with cellulitis on top of it and my ankle still swells up late in the day. And I was doing the stingray shuffle. Go figure !!

Bob and Susan, A five incher! That's a full grown scorpion.

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter Quote: Originally posted by rocmoc Quote: Originally posted by shari EWWWWW.....what kind of spider was that???? Maybe Wolf Spider. We have them here in AZ and they will actually chase you. More ugly than toxic. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico I love visiting Arizonia but now besides watching out for all the rattlesnakes, the really nasty scorpions, I need to watch for spiders chasing me? Yikes! Tis a beautiful area, however. Diane

scorpions