Emperor scorpion

Taxobox
name = Emperor Scorpion

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image_size = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Scorpiones
familia = Scorpionidae
genus = "Pandinus"
species = "P. imperator"
binomial = "Pandinus imperator"
binomial_authority = (Koch, 1841)The emperor scorpion or imperial scorpion ("Pandinus imperator") is a species of scorpion native to Africa. The emperor is one of the largest species of scorpion in the world, with adults averaging about 8 inches (20 cm) in length. However, some species of forest scorpions are its equal and one scorpion, "Heterometrus swammerdami", holds the record for being the world's largest scorpion at 9 inches (23 cm) in length. [Harv|Rubio|2000|loc="Commonly Available Scorpions" p. 26-27The Emperor Scorpion can reach an overall length of more than 8 inches (20 cm). It is erroneously claimed to be the largest living scorpion in the world. However, some species of Forest Scorpions are its equal. [...] The Guinness Book of Records claims a Forest Scorpion native to rural India, "Heterometrus swammerdami", to be the largest scorpion in the world (9 inches [23 cm] ).] Their life span usually ranges from 5-8 years when held in captivity, [ [http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/Insects/emperor.htm Emperor] ] but is likely shorter in the wild. The emperor's size, relatively low toxicity, and life span make it the most popular scorpion in the pet trade, which has led to such over-collecting in the wild that it is now a CITES listed animal, meaning it is threatened with extinction if exportation and other threats, such as development, are not regulated.

Prey, predator and defense

In the wild, emperor scorpions are reported to feed primarily on termites. In captivity they readily feed on crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms. Emperor scorpions are also known to eat small mice and lizards. Emperors are burrowing scorpions, digging with the first or first two pairs of legs. A burrow may be little more than a hollow under a rock or may twist and turn more than six feet into the earth. In the wild, emperors are said to burrow into termite mounds and make their homes there.

Emperor scorpions are preyed upon by a huge number of animals, including other scorpions, spiders, parasitic wasps and flies; birds, reptiles and amphibians; mammals such as monkeys, mongooses, various rodents, and even humans.

The emperor scorpion, like most scorpions, is timid and reclusive. If given a choice they will spend the vast majority of their time hiding in a burrow, only venturing out to hunt. When frightened the emperor scorpion will run if possible, but if it feels cornered it will enter a 'threat posture'. When threat posturing, the scorpion turns to face its enemy while holding the claws up and open, and arching the tail and stinger over its back. If harassment continues at this point the scorpion is likely to sting, but may also pinch with its claws. The pinch is surprisingly powerful (capable of breaking a pencil in half)fact|date=May 2008 and the sting, although toxic, has varying affects on humans; some report no problems while others suffer severe pain. The sting feels some what like a bee sting.

Reproduction

Emperors, like all scorpions, give live birth to their young. Gestation can last 9 to 18 months depending on temperature and food availability, when an average of 12 young are born. Baby scorpions, called "scorplings", are born very vulnerable and unable to fend for themselves. The mother emperor cares for her babies in a number of ways, such as fiercely defending them and killing prey for them. Like all scorpions, the young emperors ride on the mother's back when very small. As they molt and grow, they will begin to venture off their mothers back, explore the world and attempt to catch prey. For a few months the scorplings will return to their mothers back when frightened, until eventually the scorplings make burrows of their own and become independent.

Commercial use

Because of its docile nature and mild venom, the emperor has been used in movies such as 1999's "The Mummy" and "The Scorpion King" from 2002. As there are currently no laws in the United States protecting invertebrates from abuse or death, their use in the film industry can involve alleged mistreatment, as shown in "The Great White Hype", released in 1996.

In their native land of Africa, emperors are used for food by some native tribes. They are also captured for sale into the pet trade, killed for use in the tourist industry, tribal rituals, and homeopathic remediesFact|date=April 2008 both in and outside of Africa.

The 2008 movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is one of the few feature films to accurately portray P. imperator as having a mild sting; one of the characters is stung, and, after expressing concern about the consequences of a P. imperator sting, is told "When it comes to scorpions, the bigger the better. Small one stings you, don’t keep it to yourself." Although the P. Imperator sting is relatively mild, there is no general rule relating toxicity to scorpion size. In any case, the claws of an adult emperor scorpion are something to be aware of too.

Peculiar response to UV light

Despite being near-black in colour, the emperor glows a bluish-green when exposed to ultra-violet light. [ [http://www.science.widener.edu/~schultz/scorp/scorp.html Emperor scorpion under a blacklight] ] Only the adults exhibit this phenomenon; the juvenile scorpions lack the fluorescent mineral in their outer shell. Wild scorpions are often poached by collectors using hand-held mineral lights to detect them.

ee also

* Arachnids
* List of scorpion common names
* List of false scorpions
* Scorpion

Citations and footnotes

References

*Harvard reference
first=Manny
last=Rubio
title=Scorpions: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual
publisher=Barron's Educational Series
year=2000
isbn=0764112244

External links

* [http://www.aqua-terra-vita.com/EmperorScorpionsWP/Care.html Caring for Your Emperor Scorpion]
* [http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/03/20/handling-pandinus-imperator.html An example of an Emperor scorpion being handled] - site has also information on [http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/03/20/pandinus-imperator-terrarium.html housing an Emperor scorpion] .
* [http://www.goldenphoenixexotica.com/scorp.html More information about scorpions and pictures of Emperor scorpions with young on the back (scroll down)]
* [http://www.aqua-terra-vita.net/atvForums/forums.php Scorpions of the Genus Pandinus (forum)]
*Photos of [http://www.spidy.goliathus.com/english/pandinus-imperator-id198.html Emperor scorpion - Pandinus imperator] and other [http://www.spidy.goliathus.com/english/gallery-scorpions.php scorpions] .

corpions as pets