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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by psilocybe on June 24, 2008
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A pet store in Albuquerque, NM regularly sells scorpions such as death stalkers. A friend of mine who is pretty knowledgable about scorps has bought a few from them and says that their "screening" process is pretty lax. In fact, on one occasion they were selling juvenile deathstalkers as a different, much less toxic species!
That said, he did say that they would not sell them to minors, so at least they have that going for them...
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by Cro on June 24, 2008
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I wonder just how many envenomations there have been in this country from Death Stalkers being kept as pets ?
Does anyone have statistics about stings from these in the USA ? Are their any recorded deaths ?
Best Regards John Z
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by soberwolf on June 24, 2008
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John, from what I have read they dont seem to be qyite as dangerous as many claim. I think alot of the deaths in caused by the Death Stalker are in the middle east. I havent seen anything on deaths in the U.S.. So it is probably atributed to poor medical treatment.
The prognoses really doesnt sound much different than a Bark Scorpion. Though, programs I've seen on Discovery (yes I'm a discovery kid lol) make the Death Stalker out to be pretty dangerous.
Anyways John here is an artical i found.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiurus_quinquestriatus
Shelby
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by Nomadinexile on January 29, 2010
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Where to begin? Deadly scorpions for sale? Where? There are very few scorpions capable of killing a healthy adult, and these are NOT in the hobby. The Death Stalker is nowhere near the most dangerous scorpion in the world. Contrary to it's name, it is unlikely to cause death. This generally only happens to kids in the middle of nowhere with no access to medical treatment. No healthy adult should die from a single death stalker sting. (No scorpion keeper should get stung in the first place, especially when working with hots, but this is very easy to avoid with scorpions. They don't jump at you.) You have to be within an inch or so to get stung. You really have to try to get stung by most of them. Or you can loose it. Then you have a little bit of a problem. However, this is rare, especially with "hots". Why do you think stores shouldn't be able to sell "hot" scorpions? Chihuahua's are more dangerous! lol. Or how about those car dealerships? Sorry, but that comment is just silly. Seriously, you kid would be in more danger from a pet guinea pig. You obviously have little knowledge about scorpions, so why don't you let someone else decide what pet stores can sell? :) The store's that carry these scorpions will almost always explain your selection before you buy it. If not, they are bad actors. But it doesn't mean others shouldn't be able to! There is hardly any anti-venom in the U.S. There is one Hospital that I know of that may still carry it, but that's even iffy. Thing is, you don't need anti-venom for scorpion stings. You maybe need a pain pill and a muscle relaxer. With the very worst species, you would want to be or get close to a hospital just in case, but other than the pills, I wouldn't go to a hospital in the first place. Most people are irresponsible. I want to see car's banned. Then we are talking safety. Otherwise, your concerns, while valid, are not as big of a deal as you are making it out to be. Scorpions are safer than cats and dogs. Peace brother, ~r
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by Nomadinexile on January 29, 2010
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Forgotten Additions:
I keep scorpions as hot or hotter than LQ's (death stalkers)
I've collected around 20 different U.S. species.
I got stung by a small mild specie 3 days ago taking pics.
I was out hunting earlier this evening.
I'm not an expert scorpionologist or anything, but I know a bit, and I can assure you that banning lps' from selling "hot" scorpions is:
1. Unrealistic: Even "experts" often can't identify a specie without putting it under a microscope. You think some shmuck from Animal control is going to know from sight? lol NOPE!
2. Unneeded: Again, ban cars.
3. Uniformed: With a full plate of knowledge, you would feel differently.
Peace ~r
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by CAISSACA on January 29, 2010
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I have a fair bit of sympathy for nomadinexile's viewpoint, allowing for some overstatements ;-)
Even the most dangerous scorpions (Androctonus, Leiurus, Tityus etc.) have untreated fatality rates of < 1% in adults, although they are much higher in small children. They simply do not compare with many or most of the most commonly kept venomous snakes. Moreover, they do not cause local tissue damage or long-term effects.
Second, nomadinexile is entirely correct in saying that there is no real reason to get stung by a captive scorpion - they don't jump, don't strike, don't run fast etc. Don't like what it's doing? Step on it and the problem is solved. If you are outwitted by a scorpion, then you are already braindead.
Clearly, dangerous species need to be sold with adequate warning information for prospective buyers - these are not kiddies' pets. But beyond that, the risk is just not comparable to that emanating from most vipers or elapids.
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RE: venomous scorpions being sold at pet stores.
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by Nomadinexile on January 29, 2010
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There hasn't been a death from a scorpion in the U.S. in over 20 years.
The numbers for deaths, usually involve children and the elderly and medically weakened, all in areas without decent medical care. Some who do get medical care get it after hours of walking out of the forest or desert, and all of a sudden, the deaths start making sense, at least biologically.
As far as the worst species, there is specie of scorpion that has an unreal mortality rate Oh, and these cause major tissue damage. If you live, your body will never be the same. These are scorpions have a cytotoxin supposedly similar to the brown recluse. However, this species is not in the hobby. Nor will it ever hopefully happen. If you see this scorpion listed for sale publicly, please contact me and I will do my darndest to find a solution. I'm not kidding. Email me if you ever see one of these in a store. This species, (and possibly its genus relatives), is the one that can't get into the hobby. Many hobbyist won't even talk about it, because we don't want to encourage people to try and obtain them. The scorpion collecting community is really pretty small worldwide. I can assure you that I am not the only one of us that would jump on a serious situation like that. WE would take care of it.
Hemiscorpius lepturus, Peters, 1861
http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/h_lepturus.htm
And then, 6 week old puppy kills kid:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a0f_1217364705
So can we ban people from selling dogs now please?
114 Americans died every day a decade ago in cars, I don't know current statistics. Obviously, not everyone owns scorpions, I know, but you get where I am going here aren't you?
Besides the one specie above, anyone demanding pet stores stop selling "hot" scorpions is either undereducated in the matter, or a zany sensationalist looking for someone to point a finger at and go "bad!"
But it's a pointless, futile, and unneeded step. The last thing America needs is another stupid law that is formulated by our idiots in congress, to make as little sense as possible.
Don't worry about scorpions. They are the least of your (and our countries) problems. Unless you see a Hemi, then call me. :) ~r
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