Fattail scorpion 3246644 223152839 2008-07-02T20:14:38Z El edgar 652295 Added an occurence in popular culture -- the book's data are correct, but i'm not sure they are appropiately presented. {{Taxobox | name = Fat-tailed scorpion | image = Black scorpion.jpg | image_width = 300px | image_caption = Arabian fat-tailed scorpion, ''Androctonus crassicauda'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | subphylum = [[Chelicerata]] | classis = [[Arachnid]]a | ordo = [[Scorpion]]es | familia = [[Buthidae]] | genus = '''''Androctonus''''' | genus_authority = [[Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg|Ehrenberg]], 1828 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = 13 species, see article.}} '''Fattail scorpion''' or '''fat-tailed scorpion''' is the common name given to [[scorpion]]s 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&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]] (just under 4&nbsp;[[inch|in]]). Their name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail. Their venom contains powerful [[neurotoxin]]s and is especially potent. Stings from ''Androctonus'' species are known to cause several human deaths each year. The [[Germany|German]] pharmaceutical company Twyford manufactures an [[antivenin]] for treatment of ''Androctonus'' and two closely related genera, ''[[Buthus]]'', and ''[[Leiurus]]'', envenomations.<sup>[http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/productinfo/SCORPION_ANTIVENOM_TWYFORD_(NORTH_AFRICA)_A_081.html]</sup> == 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]], [[Yemen]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Kuwait]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]], South Eastern Africa. == Etymology == A rough English translation of the name ''Androctonus'' is "man-killer", from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''andras'' (άνδρας), meaning "man" and ''kteinein'' (κτείνειν), meaning "killing". ''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 == [[Image:ANDROCTONUS_CRASSICAUDA.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Androctonus bicolor: note the very slim [[pedipalps]] compared to ''[[Androctonus crassicauda]]'' ]] Taxonomic reclassification is ongoing, sources tend to disagree on the number of species. *''[[Androctonus amoreuxi]]'' ([[Jean Victoire Audouin|Audouin]], 1826) *''[[Androctonus australis]]'' ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758) *''[[Androctonus baluchicus]]'' ([[Reginald Innes Pocock|Pocock]], 1900) *''[[Androctonus bicolor]]'' ([[Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg|Ehrenberg]], 1828) *''[[Androctonus crassicauda]]'' ([[Guillaume-Antoine Olivier|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 proven. 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|cockroaches]], [[grasshoppers|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]]. == In popular culture == The vicious mutated scorpions infesting the fictional English towns of Long Point and Port Pendall in [[Michael R. Linaker]]'s horror novels ''Scorpion'' and ''Scorpion: Second Generation'' are said to belong to the ''A. Australis'' species. (^Published by New English Library, ISBN 0-450-05363-6) == References ==<!-- C. R. Biologies 330 (2007) 80 --> *[http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/buthidae.php The Scorpion Files: Buthidae] * [http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/a_crassicauda_kuwait.php Photo of Androctonus habitat in Kuwait] *[http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2081.htm Treatment of Androctonus stings] at [[eMedicine]] *[http://www.tparazitolderg.org/text.php3?id=194 Treatment of Androctonus stings] [[Category:Scorpions]] {{arachnid-stub}} [[cs:Androctonus]] [[es:Androctonus]] [[fr:Androctonus]] [[he:קטלן עב-זנב]]