Are Small Scorpions REALLY More DEADLY?

[@agentvictoria4021]

the addage "the size of the tail indicates strength of sting" pales in comparison to "if you don't know, don't fucking touch"

[@dukethespider]

Heaven forbid people just go "hmm, just to be safe, I'll respect it and keep my distance" instead of "Naw fam it's harmless watch me play with it *dies*

[@AdventureswithAmbrose]

🦂“A proper education is the ultimate key to a safe and peaceful coexistence” 🦂 So true!

[@rossphilpot7080]

I love your content. Keep it coming. I'm 47 y.o. I've lived in Victoria my whole life. I have spent the last 20 or so years unsuccessfully trying to train myself out of a fear of spiders. Intellectually, I'm fascinated by arachnids, but I have an uncontrolled, visceral negative reaction that I haven't been able to overcome. I would love to be able to pick up a huntsman and relocate it outside (I don't mind them inside, but the wife and kids freak out) but I can't get past my gut reaction.

[@PrisPrivate]

Seems I’m the first comment!! Loved this one Jackson, this is a myth I’ve seen everywhere, and not many people are aware of scorpions being far “deadlier” than spiders. Where I live we get no scorpions unfortunately, though towards the mountains you can occasionally find the southern devil scorpion. I absolutely adore these finicky little critters, and the Hormurus you get in Australia are just absolutely adorable!! Thank you for clearing this up, and content like this where you clear up misconceptions is awesome btw!! As a suggestion you should definitely do one regarding all the hysteria surrounding solifugae… keep up the great work man!! I can tell you’re starting to really become motivated to do content, and it shows :)

[@BugsandBiology]

Solifugae are definitely something I’d love to make a video on (particularly deadline with the myths surrounding them). The main downside is that I won’t be able to use any original footage since we don’t have Solifugae in Australia, which makes things a little more difficult. And yeah, I’ve definitely been motivated to make more content lately; been seeing some good momentum on my channel over the past few weeks.

[@PrisPrivate]

@@BugsandBiology ah I see, well I can see how that would pose a problem lol

[@BugsandBiology]

I mean, I’ve done videos about overseas animals before, so it’s definitely a possibility. Usually in such cases I tend to draw the focal animal/s so there is at least some original media in the video.

[@PrisPrivate]

@@BugsandBiology That would be awesome!! I love your art style :)

[@rheiagreenland4714]

3,000 annual scorpion-related human fatalities is absolutely insane. That is, by far, the deadliest invertebrate that directly kills humans. It's nearly 500 times spiders. Which goes to show both just how terrifying scorpions are, and how overfeared spiders are.

[@fantomghost6213]

I got stung by the scorpion you showed at 6.16 in ur video whilst camping. It stung me on the stomach as I rolled on it in my tent. It was more intense than a bee sting. I broke out in a heavy sweat and after a few seconds, a large raised welt appeared. I rubbed a general all-purpose sting lotion on it and after 15 minutes, the pain went away. The next day there was a small mark left. I released the unharmed offender outside of the tent...Lol

[@BugsandBiology]

Oh, a Lychas species? Oddly, I don’t tend to see those very often at all, even though they’re one of the more common Aussie scorpions.

[@flippyjunior1267]

we gonna ignore the fact that he just pet that huge huntsman in the beginning of the video ?

[@bundleofbasil]

He's the huntsman whisperer

[@myaussiearachnidsandinvert7253]

Lol they are fast but quite placid but im suprised you noted that and not the funnelweb spider on his palm 🤣

[@DJLucas-xv7oe]

Arachnids and Centipedes are two of my favorite classes of arthropods. Although they may not be as big or strong as apex predators like crocadilians, orcas, sharks, lions, or tigers, they are certainly the scariest.

[@quickestscoped7603]

hope you liked his recent video on Jaekelopterus

[@DJLucas-xv7oe]

@@quickestscoped7603 Oh hell yeah I did

[@tobiasware]

Well done, Jackson, I love your alliterative skills.

[@Hytheter]

You have my respect just for pointing out how overstated the danger of Australian wildlife is. Personally I'm quite pleased that I can go camping and be certain I won't be mauled by a bear!

[@BugsandBiology]

Yep! Nearly all of our “deadly” animals can be rendered entirely harmless by simply stepping around them. Can’t say the same for bears or big cats!

[@TheBestAround131]

​@@BugsandBiologyfair enough

[@rstlr73]

Great video sir! A very interesting topic.

[@BugsandBiology]

Thanks!

[@jurassicswine]

This is very interesting content! And just the first seconds, you’re a much braver person than I. I’m kinda glad I live on Long Island. Biggest spiders here aren’t much larger than your pinky nail. And zero scorpions.

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Thank you, Jackson. Interesting and informative, as always.

[@lazerman5647]

Hemiscorpius lepturus is also unique in another way that you didn't mention in this video. Most scorpions that have medically-significant venom belong in the family Buthidae. This includes Leiurus, Androctonus, Parabuthus, and Hottentotta. Hemiscorpius lepturus, despite also having medically-significant venom, isn't part of Buthidae, and instead belongs in Hemiscoriidae. This makes Hemiscorpius lepturus something of an anomaly among scorpions.

[@LuckyStone888]

Very interesting and helpful information. I live in the Northeast USA and have no natural scorpions, but I do have a few Tarantulas. I think I will still stay away from scorpions for now.

[@carolynallisee2463]

I was taught that it's not the overall size of the scorpion that clues you in to how dangerous it is, but the size of the claws to the size of the sting instead. It goes like this: if the claws are big, but the tail is thin and the sting on it's tip quite small in comparison, it means that the scorpion relies on the crushing power of its claws to subdue its prey, and its venom isn't that strong. If the claws are small, and the tail thick and the sting quite big, it uses its venom to kill its prey, and so is potentially deadly to humans. Of course, this may not be 100% accurate. There are animals out there whose venom is designed to kill certain kinds of prey, and only by accident is lethal to us. It also depends on whether an animal is ready, willing and able to turn what is mostly a hunting tool on an inquisitive human, or not. Many would rather slip off, and save their venom, which is expensive for them to produce, for its proper purpose. Others seem all too happy to give annoying people a dose of poison as a sharp lesson... and then, it doesn't really matter how big or small the creature is!

[@Not31337]

Yeah, I had never heard of the size of the scorpion mattering. It's always been big pincers or small pincers that matter. Like you said, what it relies on doing the work.

[@nicholascohen7659]

Scorpions are definitely the coolest (and scariest) arachnids. It's a shame that Australian import laws prevent you from keeping the awesome species we can keep here in the US. I love my little juvenile Pandinus imperator so much. I think people who believe the size of scorpions to be the be all/end all of venom potency would be surprised at how large an adult female deathstalker (Leirus quinquestriatus) can be. My rule of thumb is to stay away from any wild scorpion I can't identify; easy both because we don't really have any where I live and because I'm terrified of them.

[@dukethespider]

Its unfortunate that until it hit my how much I care about arthropods (went a lot of my life loving them but only recently it hit me) I too fell for the pervasive myths of "in Australia" big nope. I think your videos are extremely important in dispelling the myths of various fauna and should honestly get way more views. Unfortunately, like people with wasps, theyre so set in their ways that they're resistant to counterpoints of their established view. I've heard biology is the study of exceptions, because its very, very difficult not to find exceptions to established "rules", rven when it's a scientifically backed rule. However, when saying moths for instance lack clubbed antennae as butterflies have it (many exceptions) this ultimately is far less harmful (at least in the direct sense) compared to venomous scorpions, where people should really just... Not assume. Anyway, please keep up the great work. I do love your narration style and love the mythbusting!

[@AshKingChannel]

Hi. If you dont mind I ask you a few questions about arachnids biology. 1. Does scorpions, camel spiders, whip scorpions and tailless whip scorpions digest their prey outside their bodies by injecting digest enzyme same as spiders? 2. Can whip scorpions and tailless whip scorpions regenerate lost legs same way as spiders? They are kind of close relatives, as i know. 3. Chelicerae form of whip scorpions and tailles whip scorpions is fangs, like spiders? 4. What is the name of colored hairs on chelicerae o scorpions, whip scorpions and tailles ws? Usually there are yellow hairs on scorpions and red on whips. Thanks!

[@BugsandBiology]

1) They do, but sometimes it’s not quite as simple. For example, scorpions first ingest food into a pre-oral cavity, within which it is digested. 2) Yes, they can all regenerate legs. 3) Whip scorpions have pincer-like chelicerae, not fangs. Tailless whip scorpions have chelicerae that are less pincer-like, but still not proper fangs. 4) I don’t believe there’s any special term for the hairs on chelicerae, but I could be wrong.

[@P.ilhaformosatherium]

It triggers me everytime i see People perpetuate this Myth!!

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

From a brief Google search, H. lepturus venom is mainly hemolytic and cytotoxic, and victims that died exhibited internal hemorrhaging. All other potentially deadly scorpions are predominantly neurotoxic. Maybe it explains the difference in morphology? I imagine it mainly still uses the pincers to capture prey.

[@felineflixie]

Man Australian scorps are so underrated

[@BugsandBiology]

Urodacus are awesome especially. Shame they’re such ridiculously slow growers.

[@felineflixie]

@@BugsandBiology yes ikrrr😭

[@Arthion]

It's always helpful to remember that nearly every rule-of-thumb has exceptions.

[@oo7-ro6bu]

I got stung by a bark scorpion on my calf. Felt like a bee sting at first. Then, my entire leg was in intense pain that lasted about 16 hours.

[@vxrdrummer]

I keep scorpions and have had loads of different species. I am very, very experienced, and I would never choose to handle a fat tail like I saw in this video. That is a large and significant risk.

[@BugsandBiology]

The fat tail handling wasn’t my clip; hence the rather prominent “credit” at the top of the screen

[@scatteredleavess]

I am wondering if this myth may originate from one also surrounding snakes. That being, a younger snake is more dangerous than an adult. This stems from the fact that young snakes lack the ability to properly regulate how much venom they are injecting in prey, so while the venom is less potent than an adult’s they are proportionally putting more in. Meanwhile an adult snake is more likely to put less venom in their bite or even none at all if it’s just a warning. I wonder if arachnids also have something similar and the “smaller” scorpion is actually referring to a young one verses an adult.

[@DJLucas-xv7oe]

Scorpions are the most dangerous arachnids but not the most dangerous arthropods. We all know who it is. (Mosquito)

[@trilobite3120]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the main thing that correlates with the deadliness of a scorpions venom the size and bulkiness of its claws?

[@BugsandBiology]

It’s a more reliable indicator, but definitely not perfect, with exceptions existing on both sides.

[@trilobite3120]

@@BugsandBiology Ah, I see. To be clear, I meant big powerful claws probably means weak sting and vice versa, not big powerful claws probably means powerful sting.

[@BugsandBiology]

Yeah I know what you meant. But, for example, Hemiscorpius lepturus has big claws and a small tail, yet it’s one of the most dangerous scorpions. Meanwhile the numerous Lychas and Cercophonius species we have in Australia have small claws but aren’t very venomous.

[@trilobite3120]

@@BugsandBiology I thought you recognised what I mean, I was just clarifying Incase. Also, that's very useful to know. Thanks! I wonder what this would mean for giant prehistoric scorpions like Praearcturus and Pulmonoscorpius?

[@ronniet71]

Amazing on more than one level.

[@pauljones8054]

Some are friendly as arachnids go others well Jackson you know mate

[@danielpetrucci8952]

3:53 is that a rock scorpion? I saw it on KZbin before some guy kept it as a pet

[@andrewsmallacombe9468]

It's almost as if medical significance is related to venom potency and not size or body proportions...

[@BugsandBiology]

Precisely. Yet these myths prevail.

[@Plexippuspetersi92]

General rule of handling: don't grab, let them walk on your hand.

[@BugsandBiology]

Yeah, works like a charm. Even for pretty defensive species.

[@mohammadnowroozi7940]

Hemiscorpius leptrus (Gadim scorpion) is by far the most unique scorpion species in the world. it is the only potentialy deadly scorpion out of Buthidae family.the venom is mainly Cytotaxic and Hemolytic and is highly lethal to human. the worse is the sting from this scorpion is usually painless and the victims usually comes very late when the symptoms appear(kidney failure and blood in urine). at this stage patient will die. H-Leptrus is very common in southern regions of Iran and is responsible for 10 % of scorpions sting but 95% of deads.much more dangrous in compare with Androctonus crassicauda (Arabian fat-tailed scorpion) which lives in the same area!

[@andysvoboda5434]

Israeli Fat Tail scorpion was my favorite pet scorpion

[@BugsandBiology]

The large buthids do seem like fun pets to keep.

[@danielpetrucci8952]

Scorps

[@gruzza9000]

That first scene is cursed😂

[@BugsandBiology]

To be fair, probably a step down from presenting a video with a spider on my face like before.

[@gruzza9000]

Yeah that actually made my heart skip a beat when I saw that 😂😂

[@aottadelsei980]

Can you do a video on the evolutionary history on living members of Arthropods that are commonly referred to as bugs

[@Xavier730]

Is Hottentotta hottentotta medically significant? 🦂

[@lkfh1]

I've seen a documentary about people who DRY AND SMOKE scorpions... (pls don't recreate you might end up restarted)

[@johnnythompson3734]

Please stop beating up on the poor funnel webs 😂

[@bizarrelycosa]

sigma

[@meatsplash]

If you told me this was read and written by a soulless AI I would believe you, no questions. If this was truly the work of a human, bro, throw out some more useful info than the latin names. Like, region/range/danger scale/ etc... ffs. This made me dumber.

[@BugsandBiology]

No need to worry about anything “making you dumber”, I think that ship has sailed.

[@ichthyovenator3351]

Idk if giving random info on random scorpions in random parts of the world contributes to the thesis of the video. Besides already including a number of genera as either for or against the scorpion rule presented, the video gives the most important advice of learn your local animals. If you don’t have the initiative to do that then idk what to tell you.

[@Brgg1]

Womp Womp😱

[@PhatBeets3466]

@meatsplash Your comment made me dumber...

[@meatsplash]

Fission mailed boys, we'll get 'em next time."@@PhatBeets3466

[@luphuong5239]

Small pincers, thick tail = deadly Big pincers, thin tail = not deadly

[@BugsandBiology]

Exceptions exist on both sides, as mentioned in the video. Most notably Hemiscorpius lepturus, which has big pincers and a small tail, yet is one of the deadliest scorpions on earth.

[@Imleona]

the Arizona bark scorpion, the desert hairy scorpion, and the striped-tailed scorpion 🦂 do you think they could kill my cat. They luv killing em 😬 luv your info . 👈🏻🫶🏻

[@BugsandBiology]

The stripe tailed and desert scorpions, no. Bark scorpion might be a bit more risky.

[@Imleona]

@@BugsandBiology now I’m scared for em . Yikes 😳 Ty for the response 🫶🏻

[@Imleona]

@@BugsandBiology I looked at the Bark Scorpion 🦂 those are the ones I see everywhere . The yellowish nude ones . Does it matter size with those and venom? I see little ones .

[@eybaza6018]

@@Imleona Thing is-cats are really,really good at killing things.Their reaction times allow them to almost always avoid snake bites for ex. So unless they act uncharacteristically slow,they're usually the ones on top.Not saying you should ignore the threat though there's still a risk,even if not a very big one

[@Imleona]

@@eybaza6018 funny u just posted this . I just had my feral fixed vacc cat missing for a day it’s 102 now . Her hind legs don’t work. I saw this curves tan yellowish thing in hind spin area wondering if she got stung by scorpion 🦂??? She gets a bit better daily. Not sure 🤔 The dehydration did she get bit??? Waiting for vet visit. But eating no pain playing also. So weird . 🙏🏻❤️