| Pages:
1
2 |
Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
|
|
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]
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
not as tough as you eh Russ....we found this fatty meditating under a rock at Beth's place.
|
|
|
jorgie
Nomad
Posts: 430
Registered: 8-25-2006
Location: on another road,again
Member Is Offline
Mood: on the road....again,again
|
|
AH , you guys .......those would have been pan size !!!!
|
|
|
Geo_Skip
Nomad
Posts: 154
Registered: 5-15-2009
Location: Alta California and......../
Member Is Offline
|
|
Strange as it may seem, I saw more scorpions in SW Utah than I have proportionately in my trips to Baja. Saw so many that I got used to whacking
every rock I wanted to pick up to look at...with my hammer.....That took care of the scorpions...sometimes two under one fist size rock. Perhaps the
drier desert in the parts of Baja that I frequent mean less food/fewer scorpions.
I still feel the urge to whack any rock before I pick it up, at the oddest times.
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
There's a great disparity of toxicity among scorpions depending upon locale. Does anyone know if the Baja variety are anywhere near fatally toxic?
|
|
|
vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
|
|
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]
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
|
|
|
vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
|
|
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]
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
|
|
|
bajachris
Nomad
Posts: 196
Registered: 3-29-2009
Location: San Diego, San Juanico, San Andres
Member Is Offline
Mood: Love Baja
|
|
I'm no expert, but I was at Scorpion Bay (aptly named) and a scorpion crawled up my pant leg when I was sitting by the fire. I felt a tap, tap on my
ankle. Well, there was this scorpion. I took some benedryl and iced it. Felt fine. A day later my ankle starting itching. Nothing more severe than
that. I wasn't even in pain that night. He was relative small, just a few inches long, light brown. Sorry no pictures. I was so freaked out I stripped
out of my pants and threw them out the camper door! Watch what you put in the fire. They come out at night. If you can bring a UV light they will
flouresce. I often find them under large rocks.
I too read about the only really toxic scorpion, the Arizona Bark scorpion.
|
|
|
vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
|
|
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.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
Juan says ant bites are worse than scorpions...bee sting is worse too...he's been stung a bunch as he works with rock alot.
|
|
|
toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
|
|
I have always heard that the smaller transparent scorpians are the most toxic, delivering the most pain. That is probably the Centruroides Exilicauda,
if Vgabndo's photo is an indicator. The bigger brown ones are less so.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
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. 
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
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]
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
EWWWWW.....what kind of spider was that????
Juan used to make a case for our horned owl Nico...that he should sleep in the house as they are excellent scorpion killers...I agreed if Juan was the
one to clean up all the owl doo doo in the morning.
Nico slept outside on the patio. Nico also gulped down centipedes and kept curious children at bay.
|
|
|
rocmoc
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 5-25-2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: Live today like it maybe your LAST!
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
I have always heard that the smaller transparent scorpians are the most toxic, delivering the most pain. |
Yes this is correct!
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
|
|
|
rocmoc
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 5-25-2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: Live today like it maybe your LAST!
|
|
| 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
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
|
|
|
Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
If ya wanna have some fun with Scorpions....When we were very young boys (7yo to 12yo) living out in the So. Cal. desert, my brother and I had the
most fun, gathering up Bark Scorpions and putting them in clear glass canning jars with never more than 5 or so to a jar.We would watch them fight and
kill each other for hours. After a day or two there would be one who was the winner and he would get a spider to devour. Boys will always be boys!!!
++C++
|
|
|
Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
I had my first sting this trip at Campo Gecko, I never saw him, I don't know who says that a bee or ant sting is worse, It's not! For about 5 or so
hours it stung( felt almost like a burn, then itched, then it tingled and was sort of numb (like your foot going to sleep) for 5 or so days. It's
been about 3wks. now and it still feels weird at the sting site. Doc (Abraham) told me the reason the smaller ones are worse is that they don't know
how to control the amount of venom they deliver.
Mean people suck!
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
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 !!
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
