Red bark scorpion
Red bark scorpion |
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Scientific Classification |
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Binomial Name |
Babycurus jacksoni |
The face and pedipalps of the Red Bark Scorpion |
The Red Bark Scorpion is a species of scorpions known by the scientific name Babycurus jacksoni. The Red Bark Scorpion can also be called names such as the Tanzanian Bark Scorpion and the Rusty Thick Tail Scorpion. The first person to record seeing the Red Bark Scorpion was F.J.Jackson whom the species gets its scientific name from. F.J. Jackson found the Red Bark Scorpion near Mt. Kilimanjaro in Taveita, Kenya. The red Bark Scorpion is a venomous species, but is not one of the most venomous species compared to some of the other species of scorpions. These animals are mildly aggressive. Like most other scorpions, the Red Bark Scorpion's body consists of a cephalothorax and a head. The Red Bark Scorpion, along with all the other scorpions, is an invertebrate. An invertebrate is an animal that lacks a backbone. Most creatures around the would are invertebrates, in fact at least 95% of animals species are invertebrates. The Red Bark Scorpion can be kept as a pet. Not advised to be kept as a pet by the people just starting in keeping scorpions as pets. These scorpions are meant more for the experienced people who have had a scorpion as a pet before. The Red bark Scorpion is a dangerous species that is why people just starting in getting scorpions for pets should not get them as pets. [2]
Body Design
The Red Bark Scorpion, when full grown, is about 4 inches long. In Red Bark Scorpions their are two different color morphs. They are either a normal reddish brown color or a chocolate color, which is darker than the normal color morph.[3] Some of their overlapping scales are a little orange in color. [4].
The Red Bark Scorpion is supported by an exoskeleton, which they periodically molt making it so that they are able to grow. The baby Red Bark Scorpions molt more often than adults because they are growing more rapidly. After each molt the Red Bark Scorpion's exoskeleton is a little bit soft for awhile. The exoskeleton of the Red Bark Scorpion also provides as good protection from intruders into its home along with its tail and its pedipalps.[5]
The body consists of a cephalothorax, abdomen and a tail. Their cephalothorax contains eyes, chelicerae (mouth parts), four pair of legs and claws also known as pedipalps. In all of the abdominal body segments of the Red Bark Scorpion there is a pair of spiracles as a way of respiration for the animal.[6]. The Red Bark Scorpion has an open circulatory system. [7]
The tail has the telson (the sting) which has venom glands which are released into the victim through the hypodermic aculeus (venom-injecting barb).[8]. Along the middle of the back of the Red Bark Scorpion there is either a band or a few bands of dark brown coloration.[9].
Life Cycle
Red Bark Scorpions are ovoviviparous (eggs are hatched in the mother then are given live birth) along with most other scorpion species. They also reproduce sexually like most other scorpions with a few exceptions. [10]. In the first brood there can have thirty to forty hatch-lings, after that the number usually drops to ten to twenty. The baby scorpions usually hatch five to eight months after the male and female adult mate. The Female Red Bark Scorpion carries the young on its back for a while until the young scorpions are old enough to survive on their own. [11]. After the young are born they have the same figure as there parents but not the right coloration. It takes a little bit for the baby scorpions to get the right coloration. They usually aren’t old enough to survive on their own until after their first molt because they are dependent on their mother for protection and to keep them properly moisturized. The young and growing red Bark Scorpions grow by continually molting (shedding its exoskeleton) and growing new exoskeletons.[12]. The adult Red Bark Scorpion sometimes will kill each other if there is not enough space for them to live separated from each other. While the young are still growing they can live together without killing each other under certain circumstances. They won’t kill and eat each other if they have enough food and have a suitable place to hide without another scorpion being there. The growth of Red Bark Scorpions is very fast. They are fully grown in just over a year’s time. In fair weather conditions and with enough food the Red Bark Scorpion can grow to complete adulthood in about a year and a half. This is relatively fast compared to other scorpion species. [13].
Ecology
The Red Bark Scorpion's diet consists of small insects. These insets may be crickets, flies, termites or other small insects like these. The Red Bark Scorpion can be found in East and Central Africa in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. [14]. These animals live partially in the desert but still need moisture to live and try to take advantage of every drop of water they see. The Red Bark Scorpion lives under rocks and bark that provides them with a shelter for them to survive the extreme weather. These animals do not have very many predators in their habitat. The Red Bark Scorpion may not even have any predators. The Red Bark Scorpion seems to have an interesting method of getting food when food on the ground gets scarce. The Red Bark Scorpion will try to climb a tree to get food, mainly the Red Bark Scorpion climbs the tree to find termites and to eat them. [15]
Pet
The Red Bark Scorpion can be kept as a pet but is not advised for people that are just starting to keep scorpions as pets. People with more experience are able to keep them as pets because they are more experienced and are prepared for whatever the Red Bark Scorpion might do. These scorpions have a moderate temper and their stings usually leave the victim in serious pain for a while, but the Red Bark Scorpions sting is not known to kill humans. The Red Bark Scorpion is good at playing dead and it can sit there motionless then quickly get up and dash somewhere else. These scorpions usually are not very sociable and if kept to close to each other in a confined area they are known to display cannibalism. Juvenile Red Bark Scorpions are a little more sociable than adults and can live somewhat together. The red Bark Scorpion needs about 65-75% moisture to live comfortably. the Red Bark Scorpion needs to have a temperature ranging from 72-82 degrees to live because they are ectothermic.[16]
References
- Stang, David. Babycurus jacksoni Zipcode zoo. Web. Last modified April 3, 2004.
- rusty thick-tailed scorpion Right Pet. Web. accessed November 8, 2011. Author Unknown.
- Cephalothorax Scorpion. Wikipedia. Web. last modified November 8, 2011. Author Unknown.
- Babycurus jacksoni. the Scorpion Fauna. web. accessed November 8, 2011. Author Unknown.
- Rich, Carlin. Babycurus jacksoni. Scorpion-web. Web. accessed on November 22, 2011.
- Rusty Thick Tail Scorpion. Redneck Herps Wikipedia. Web. accessed on November 22, 2011. Author Unknown
- Cozijn, M.A.C.. Babycurus jacksoni. Babycurus jacksoni. Web. accessed on November 22, 2011.