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'Fattail scorpion' or 'fat-tailed scorpion' is the common name given to scorpions of the genus '''Androctonus''', which is one of the most dangerous groups of scorpion species in the world. They are found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of the Middle-East and Africa. They are a moderate sized scorpion, attaining lengths of 10 cm (just under 4 in). Their name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail. Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. Stings from ''Androctonus'' species are known to cause several human deaths each year. The German pharmaceutical company Twyford manufactures an antivenin for treatment of ''Androctonus'' and two closely related genera, ''Buthus'', and ''Leiurus'', envenomations.^[1]

Contents

Geographic range

Etymology

Taxonomy

In Captivity

References

Geographic range

'Androctonus' is widespread in the Middle East and North Africa. Countries where ''Androctonus'' species live include: Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, South Eastern Turkey.

Etymology

A rough English translation of the name ''Androctonus'' is "man-killer", from the Greek ''andras'' (άνδρας), meaning "man" and ''kteinein'' (κτείνειν), meaning "kill". ''Crassicauda'' means fat-tailed, from the Latin ''crassus'' meaning "thick" or "fat" and ''cauda'', meaning "tail". Androctonus crassicauda is wide-spread 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

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

★ ''Androctonus amoreuxi'' (Audouin, 1826)

★ ''Androctonus australis'' (Linnaeus, 1758)

★ ''Androctonus baluchicus'' (Pocock, 1900)

★ ''Androctonus bicolor'' (Ehrenberg, 1828)

★ ''Androctonus crassicauda'' (Olivier, 1807)

★ ''Androctonus dekeyseri'' (Lourenço, 2005)

★ ''Androctonus finitimus'' (Pocock, 1897)

★ ''Androctonus gonneti'' (Vachon, 1948)

★ ''Androctonus hoggarensis'' (Pallary, 1929)

★ ''Androctonus liouvillei'' (Pallary, 1924)

★ ''Androctonus maelfaiti'' (Lourenço, 2005)

★ ''Androctonus mauritanicus'' (Pocock, 1902)

★ ''Androctonus sergenti'' (Vachon, 1948)

In Captivity

Despite the inherent risks with keeping such a dangerously venomous species in captivity, ''Androctonus'' scorpions are frequently found in the exotic animal trade - ''A. amoreuxi'' and ''A. australis'' being the most commonly available. As with any dangerous scorpion, a potential Androctonus keeper should think very carefully before acquiring one because a sting may have serious consequences which extend beyond the immediate risks of injury or death. For example, there can be an expensive bill for emergency medical care that the owner's health insurance may not entirely cover. There is also potential legal liability if someone other than the owner is stung and negligence can be proved. Finally, the local media are likely to take an interest, particularly if it is a "slow news day". Depending on the jurisdiction in which the keeper lives, some form of licence or insurance policy may be required in order to possess a dangerous scorpion. In some jurisdictions, possession of a dangerous scorpion is illegal. Extra precautions must be taken to ensure that the scorpion cannot escape. Clearly, Androctonus scorpions should never be handled under any circumstances. Its main diet in captivity consists of cockroaches, grasshoppers, or crickets. Scorpions will generally try to kill and eat anything which moves and is smaller than themselves. In order 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.

References

★ The Scorpion Files: Buthidae

★ Photo of Androctonus habitat in Kuwait

★ Treatment of Androctonus stings #1

★ Treatment of Androctonus stings #2

★ Treatment of Androctonus stings #3