Wow, so much misinformation surrounding these guys.
First things first, this definitely is a Centruroides species; if Texas, it's probably vittatus. They're quite a large genus of bark scorpions that are abundant throughout the Southwest, Midwest, South and Southeast. People have been led to believe that they only live in the desert, not true. I saw someone say they live in Illinois and scorpions don't live there, also not true.
Second, yes, many species of this genus have a very powerful venom that causes anything from a forgettable sting to excruciating pain; reports of it feeling like they've been stung with a side of electrical shock to feeling like the effected body part is on fire. Symptoms may disappear quickly or last for days, the former usually being the case. Very, very rarely fatal and thousands are stung every year; antivenom is rarely needed. If serious symptoms occur, obviously visit the ER. Oh, and the notion that the smaller ones don't control their venom is absolute horsecock. However, ime, they're definitely more feisty and willing to sting.
Third, to tackle the myth surrounding the size of the pincers and tail. It's not necessarily completely untrue, it's just that there are plenty of exceptions. For instance, one of, if not THE most venomous in the world is the Israeli Deathstalker; appearance wise, it would almost look like a Desert Hairy Scorpion, which are basically harmless. The fat tail scorpions? Sure, it applies there. However, there are also hundreds if not thousands of species that have thin pincers that are mostly innocuous, including most non Centruroides species in the US.
There are a couple other points I'd like to cover, but those are the ones that stood out to me the most.
Yeah...as far as the size thing (pincers and tail), there are just so many exceptions that it's basically useless as a rule of thumb.
It's not so much that it's wrong. It's more that it's basically useless unless you already know what type of scorpion you're dealing with. And at that point, you don't even need to use the rule of thumb at all; you can just look up the species and see if it's dangerous.
The bottom line is that while the vast majority of scorpions are harmless to people, you don't mess with them unless you know what you're dealing with. Pretty much the same as with snakes.
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u/TrashMammal84 Jul 25 '22
Wow, so much misinformation surrounding these guys.
First things first, this definitely is a Centruroides species; if Texas, it's probably vittatus. They're quite a large genus of bark scorpions that are abundant throughout the Southwest, Midwest, South and Southeast. People have been led to believe that they only live in the desert, not true. I saw someone say they live in Illinois and scorpions don't live there, also not true.
Second, yes, many species of this genus have a very powerful venom that causes anything from a forgettable sting to excruciating pain; reports of it feeling like they've been stung with a side of electrical shock to feeling like the effected body part is on fire. Symptoms may disappear quickly or last for days, the former usually being the case. Very, very rarely fatal and thousands are stung every year; antivenom is rarely needed. If serious symptoms occur, obviously visit the ER. Oh, and the notion that the smaller ones don't control their venom is absolute horsecock. However, ime, they're definitely more feisty and willing to sting.
Third, to tackle the myth surrounding the size of the pincers and tail. It's not necessarily completely untrue, it's just that there are plenty of exceptions. For instance, one of, if not THE most venomous in the world is the Israeli Deathstalker; appearance wise, it would almost look like a Desert Hairy Scorpion, which are basically harmless. The fat tail scorpions? Sure, it applies there. However, there are also hundreds if not thousands of species that have thin pincers that are mostly innocuous, including most non Centruroides species in the US.
There are a couple other points I'd like to cover, but those are the ones that stood out to me the most.