Androctonus bicolor
| Black fat–tailed scorpion | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Buthidae |
| Genus: | Androctonus |
| Species: | A. bicolor
|
| Binomial name | |
| Androctonus bicolor (Ehrenberg, 1828)
| |
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.[1] Black fat-tailed scorpions come from the family Buthidae, which is the largest of the scorpion family.[2] They can be identified by their hefty physique.[3] They tend to move very fast, and are of an aggressive nature.[3] Black fat–tailed scorpions can live for up to 5 years.[3] Adults can reach up to 40-60 millimeters, 80 millimeters being the maximum.[4] These scorpions typically possess black and brown coloration.[5] These scorpions enjoy making scrapes with wood and rocks,[3] and are nocturnal, thus they hide in crevices or certain objects during the day.[4] They stay in shade to retain moisture (that they obtain from prey) in their bodies, as they are susceptible to losing moisture due to their environmental preference.[6]
Location
[edit]Androctonus is widespread in North and West Africa, the Middle East, but the wider family tolerates a wider range of habitats.[2] This relates to the fact that black fat-tailed scorpions are rather efficient when temperatures range from 29 °C-35 °C, as this temperature allows for productive growth.[3] Black fat–tailed scorpions are normally found in arid or semi-arid areas as well as margins of desert areas, typically areas with sandy soil.[4] They generally prefer warm and dry areas.[6]
Taxonomy
[edit]The black fat-tailed scorpion belongs to the genus Androctonus, which can be translated into "man-killer".[7] The species name is bicolor which is translated into having two-colors,[8] which could be referring to their brown-black coloration.[5] Scorpions are under the class Arachnida, because they are arachnids that have eight legs.[6]
Eating habits
[edit]Scorpions can eat many kinds of insects, spiders, lizards, small mammals such as mice, or even other scorpions.[9] Scorpions are able to go months without consuming food.[9] Prey is captured and crushed by its pincers, while their stingers are used to inject venom into their prey.[9] This paralyzes the prey, causing immobility and allowing the scorpion to consume it with ease.[9] Scorpions use their chelicerae (small claw-like structures attached to their mouths) to pull small parts off their prey, this is simple for them as chelicerae are quite sharp.[9] Scorpions are only able to ingest liquids, thus their chelicerae help them dispose of solid parts that cannot be consumed.[9]
Venom
[edit]Black fat–tailed scorpions use neurotoxic venom, which is fast acting and can be absorbed very quickly, because of the small molecular weight of the proteins that make up the venom.[10] These neurotoxins act on the central nervous system, causing paralysis in the nerves that are responsible for respiration, which ultimately causes death by respiratory failure.[10] The neurotoxins may also cause widespread neuronal excitation, symptoms of which can include pain, sweating, salivation, and tearing.[11] Severe envenomation is likely, as the rate of envenoming is 10-20%, making it potentially lethal.[5] Victims are likely to feel progressively weaker after envenoming.[10] Envenoming can result in death, which can occur between 5 and 15 hours, but it is also possible for death to occur within one hour.[10] Examples of common symptoms that occur after a sting are: drowsiness, drooping eyelids, paralysis of neck muscles, loss of muscle coordination, and abdominal pain.[10] A monovalent antivenom (an antivenom that heals stings of specific species [12]) called Anti-scorpionique is available to treat stings from a black fat-tailed scorpion.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Jacobs, Daniel; Morris, Peter (2001). The rough guide to Tunisia (6, illustrated ed.). Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-85828-748-5. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
- ^ a b Koch, C. "BUTHIDAE". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Chris. "Androctonus Bicolor". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c "Venomous Animals - A | Armed Forces Pest Management Board". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d "WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c "Scorpion Control Facts, Types of Scorpions & More". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ "deadlylist.com :: Insects and Arachnids". Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ "Merriam-Webster".
- ^ a b c d e f "What do Scorpions Eat - Scorpion Diet". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Neurotoxic Venom". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ "WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ "Antivenom (antivenin)". Archived from the original on 2014-01-06.
