Fattail scorpion

Last updated

Fattail scorpion
Black scorpion.jpg
Arabian fat-tailed scorpion, Androctonus crassicauda .
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Androctonus
Ehrenberg, 1828
Diversity
About 30 species

Fattail scorpion or fat-tailed scorpion is the common name given to scorpions of the genus Androctonus, one of the most dangerous groups of scorpion species in the world. [1] The genus was first described in 1828 by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg. [2]

Contents

They are found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of the Middle East and Africa. [1] They are moderate sized scorpions, attaining lengths of 10 cm (just under 4 in). [3] Their common name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail, while the Latin name originates from Greek and means "man killer". [4] Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. [1] Stings from Androctonus species are known to cause several human deaths each year. [1] Several pharmaceutical companies manufacture an antivenom for treatment of Androctonus envenomations. [5]

The fat-tailed scorpion is nocturnal and enjoys making nests where they hide in crevices during the day to stay moisturized. [6] One of the main threats that the scorpions face is habitat loss. [7]

Geographic range

Androctonus is widespread in North and West Africa, the Middle East and eastwards to the Hindukush region. Countries where Androctonus species live including Egypt, Israel, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Pakistan and Morocco.

Etymology

A rough English translation of the name Androctonus is "man-killer", from the Ancient Greek anḗr, andrós (ἀνήρ, ἀνδρός), meaning "man" and kteínein (κτείνειν), meaning "to kill". Crassicauda means fat-tailed, from the Latin crassus meaning "fat" and cauda, meaning "tail". Androctonus crassicauda is widespread throughout the Middle East and its name means "fat-tailed man-killer". Similarly, the Latin word for South is australis, from which Androctonus australis, "southern man-killer", derives.

Taxonomy

Androctonus bicolor: The Black fat-tail; note the very slim pedipalps compared to Androctonus crassicauda ANDROCTONUS CRASSICAUDA.jpg
Androctonus bicolor : The Black fat-tail; note the very slim pedipalps compared to Androctonus crassicauda

Taxonomic reclassification is ongoing, sources tending to disagree on the number of species.

Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (30 species):

In captivity

Androctonus australis in a terrarium with Saharan sand Androctonus australis 02.JPG
Androctonus australis in a terrarium with Saharan sand

Despite the risks of keeping such a dangerously venomous species in captivity, Androctonus scorpions are frequently found in the exotic animal trade,[ where? ]A. amoreuxi and A. australis being the most commonly available. The fat-tailed scorpion's main diet when in captivity consists of cockroaches, grasshoppers, and crickets. However, the fat-tailed scorpion is able to go months without consuming food. Scorpions will generally try to kill and eat anything which moves and is smaller than themselves. [8] Fat-tail scorpions kill their prey by first crushing them with their pincers and then injecting them with venom from their stingers. [9] Once the prey has been stung, it causes paralysis and allows the scorpion to consume it with ease. [10] Interestingly, the fat-tail scorpion can only ingest liquids. [11] To simulate the desert environment, the enclosure used to keep the scorpion in must be kept at a temperature of between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius (79–86 °F)[ citation needed ].

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buthidae</span> Family of scorpions

The Buthidae are the largest family of scorpions, containing about 100 genera and 1339 species as of 2022. A few very large genera are known, but a high number of species-poor or monotypic ones also exist. New taxa are being described at a rate of several new species per year. They have a cosmopolitan distribution throughout tropical and subtropical environments worldwide. Together with four other families, the Buthidae make up the superfamily Buthoidea. The family was established by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1837.

<i>Tityus</i> (genus) Genus of scorpions

Tityus is a large genus of thick-tailed scorpions, the namesake of its subfamily Tityinae. As of 2021, Tityus contains more than 220 described species distributed in Central America and South America, from Costa Rica to Argentina. Species in the genus Tityus have been studied for hundreds of years, long before the taxonomic classification was put in place. Tityus tend to be of medium size for scorpions, roughly 50 to 70 millimeters long. They are dark brown or red in color, and can exhibit sexual dimorphism. They can live in a variety of environments, ranging from urban to arid mountains to the Amazon Rainforest. Tityus scorpions are best known for their venom and potent sting. The genus contains several dangerously venomous scorpions, the best known of which is the Brazilian yellow scorpion, T. serrulatus. Its venom can cause severe illness, and in the young, old and infirm even death. Some experts have argued that the genus as a whole may be paraphyletic, which could explain the knowledge gaps related to Tityus. 

<i>Androctonus maroccanus</i> Species of scorpion

Androctonus maroccanus is a species of scorpion of the family Buthidae. Along with other members of the genus Androctonus it is also known by the collective vernacular name fat-tailed scorpion. A. maroccanus is endemic to the Atlantic coast of central Morocco.

Buthacus is a genus of scorpion of the family Buthidae. It is distributed across northern and western Africa, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The taxonomy of scorpions deals with the classification of this predatory arthropod into 13 extant families and about 1,400 described species and subspecies. In addition, 111 described taxa of extinct scorpions are known.

<i>Hottentotta</i> Genus of scorpions

Hottentotta is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. It is distributed widely across Africa, except for most of the Sahara desert. Species in the genus also occur in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, southeastern Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Cape Verde Islands, and Sri Lanka (introduced).

<i>Heterometrus</i> Genus of scorpions

Heterometrus, whose members are also known by the collective vernacular name Asian Forest Scorpion, is a genus of scorpions belonging to the family Scorpionidae. It is distributed widely across tropical and subtropical southeastern Asia, including Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, India, and China (Hainan). It is notable for containing some of the largest living species of scorpions.

<i>Leiurus</i> Genus of scorpions

Leiurus is a genus of scorpion of the family Buthidae. The most common species, L. quinquestriatus, is also known under the common name Deathstalker. It is distributed widely across North Africa and the Middle East, including the western and southern Arabian Peninsula and southeastern Turkey. At least one species occurs in West Africa.

<i>Pandinus</i> Genus of scorpions

Pandinus is a genus of large scorpions belonging to the family Scorpionidae. It contains one of the most popular pet scorpions, the emperor scorpion . The genus is distributed across tropical Africa.

<i>Androctonus crassicauda</i> Species of scorpion

Androctonus crassicauda, the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion, is a species of extremely dangerous scorpion usually found in North Africa and the Middle East.

<i>Androctonus bicolor</i> Species of scorpion

Androctonus bicolor, the black fat-tailed scorpion, is a scorpion species of the family Buthidae. It is black in color and can grow up to 8 cm. Black fat-tailed scorpions come from the family Buthidae, which is the largest of the scorpion family. They can be identified by their hefty physique. They tend to move very fast, and are of an aggressive nature. Black fat–tailed scorpions can live for up to 5 years. Adults can reach up to 40-60 millimeters, 80 millimeters being the maximum. These scorpions typically possess black and brown coloration. These scorpions enjoy making scrapes with wood and rocks, and are nocturnal, thus they hide in crevices or certain objects during the day. They stay in shade to retain moisture in their bodies, as they are susceptible to losing moisture due to their environmental preference.

<i>Androctonus australis</i> Species of scorpion

Androctonus australis, the yellow fat-tailed scorpion, is a hardy desert scorpion from North Africa, Somaliland, the Middle East, Pakistan and India.

<i>Buthus</i> Genus of arachnids

Buthus is a genus of scorpion belonging and being eponymous to the family Buthidae. It is distributed widely across northern Africa, including Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, as well as the Middle East, including Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and possibly Saudi Arabia and southern Turkey. Its European range includes the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and Cyprus.

<i>Isometrus</i> Genus of scorpions

Isometrus is a genus of scorpion belonging and being eponymous to the family Buthidae. Some species are currently assigned to the genus Reddyanus.

Mesobuthus is an Asian genus of scorpions in the family Buthidae.

<i>Leiurus abdullahbayrami</i> Species of scorpion

Leiurus abdullahbayrami is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. Its venom is highly toxic to humans, but can be used in medical development.

<i>Buthoscorpio</i> Genus of scorpions

Buthoscorpio is a genus of scorpions in the family Buthidae.

<i>Lychas</i> Genus of scorpions

Lychas is a genus of scorpions belonging to the family Buthidae. It is one of the most widespread genus of the scorpions, where the species are found throughout in Africa and Seychelles, and in the Oriental region from India to Melanesia.

<i>Charmus</i> (scorpion) Genus of scorpions

Charmus is a genus of buthid scorpions native to India and Sri Lanka.

<i>Reddyanus</i> Genus of scorpions

Reddyanus is a genus of buthid scorpions native to Oriental region from India, Sri Lanka, China: Tibet, to Melanesia. The genus was previously described as a subgenus of Isometrus.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hendrixson, B. E. 2006. Buthid scorpions of Saudi Arabia, with notes on other families (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Liochelidae, Scorpionidae). In W. Büttiker, F. Krupp, I. Nader & W. Schneider (eds.), Fauna of Arabia (pp. in press, ~100 pages). Basel, Switzerland: Karger Libri.
  2. ↑ Hemprich, F. G. & Christian G. Ehrenberg. 1828. Zoologica II. Arachnoidea. Plate I: Buthus; plate II: Androctonus. In: Symbolae physicae seu icones et descriptiones animalium evertebratorum sepositis insectis quae ex itinere per Africam borealem et Asiam occidentalem. Friderici Guilelmi Hemprich et Christiani Godofredi Ehrenberg, medicinae et chirurgiae doctorum, studio novae aut illustratae redierunt. Percensuit et regis iussu et impensis edidit Dr. C. G. Ehrenberg. Decas prima. ex Officina Academica, Venditur a Mittlero, Berlin
  3. ↑ "Arabian fat-tailed scorpion videos, photos and facts - Androctonus crassicauda | Arkive". Archived from the original on 2017-09-12. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  4. ↑ "Dictionary of Scientific Scorpion Names" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "Antidotes In Depth, Jeffrey N. Bernstein" (PDF).
  6. ↑ "Black Fat-tailed Scorpion". www.ead.gov.ae. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  7. ↑ "Black Fat-tailed Scorpion". www.ead.gov.ae. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  8. ↑ "Striped Bark Scorpion". Branson's Wild World. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  9. ↑ "Black Fat-tailed Scorpion". www.ead.gov.ae. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  10. ↑ "Black Fat-tailed Scorpion". www.ead.gov.ae. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  11. ↑ "Black Fat-tailed Scorpion". www.ead.gov.ae. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.