Deathstalker Scorpion Facts

Scorpions have been living on the face of this earth long before dinosaurs were born. They have been extraordinary hunters for over 400 million years and they have gotten pretty well at what they do. Although their appearance is similar to that of a lobster, there's a huge difference between a lobster and scorpion. The biggest difference is that stingy venomous tail which they use for their defense and for killing their prey. There are more than 1500 species of scorpions on this planet and most of them carry venom that can kill a human in few minutes.

The Deathstalker, also known as Leiurus quinquestraitus, is a popular species of scorpion mainly found in desert regions of the African continent. They belong to the arachnid family and are very anti social creatures. Deathstalker scorpions are yellow in color and can grow up to 4.5 inches in height.

Interesting Death Scorpion Facts

Apart from dry regions, the Deathstalker scorpion is found in Iran, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Somalia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq and Israel. This creature prefers a humid climate and tends to live longer in such places. Here are some facts about Deathstalker scorpion.

• The Deathstalker is also known as Palestine yellow scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and Omdurman scorpion.
• As mentioned above, the Deathstalker is a very poisonous scorpion and it's venom contains a potent mixture of neurotoxins which lead to immense and unbearable pain. This venom can also cause coma, fever, paralysis, convulsions and even death.
• The life span of a Deathstalker is 2 to 6 years.
• These scorpions are very aggressive in nature and they tend to become very nervous if they are kept in captivity. Due to this there's a high chance that they will attack anyone who comes near them, which is why trading of Deathstalkers is banned in many countries.
• The females are larger in size than males, this helps them accomplish their reproductive tasks.
• If the scorpions are in the wild, they will mainly feed on crickets and other small insects. These scorpions also act like scavengers in times where there's shortage of food.
• In most cases, the effect of the venom mainly depends on the pincer. Scorpions with strong and large pincers don't require powerful venom but those who have weak pincers need powerful venom so that they can kill their prey effectively.
• Deathstalker scorpions undergo the process of molting at least 7 times before they reach the age of sexual maturity. Most scorpions mate when they have completed 6 years. In this species, the female has got the deciding authority of who she will mate with. She may have several males calling for her but not all of them will get a chance.
• Offspring are born generally 3 to 5 months after mating and the mother gives birth to almost 30 young ones at once. After they are born all of them climb up and stay on their mother's back, which becomes their residence for several weeks.
• Many leading wildlife experts have said that the venom from these scorpions can be used as an antibiotic for many serious health conditions.
• Since the Deathstalker scorpion has a very poisonous pincer, the animal is not really safe for an average person to handle. Yet there are many people who like keeping this exotic creature for fun. To make sure not many people can opt for it, many countries in the world have come with laws which state that a person needs to have a license to keep this scorpion as a pet.
• The Deathstalker scorpion is capable to change color as per its surroundings. It does that to stay undetected so that its prey doesn't recognize it.
• When kept in captivity, it is necessary that the scorpion is provided a humid climate with temperature ranging from 75 to 85°F.

Hope this article on Deathstalker scorpion facts was an interesting read. For people who want to keep this dangerous predator should be very careful. If the owner gets bitten by mistake, it is recommended to apply ice on the affected area and rush to the nearest hospital to get medical care.