Deathstalker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about a species of scorpion. For the science-fiction novel by Simon Green, please see Deathstalker (novel).
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| Leiurus quinquestriatus Ehrenberg, 1829 |
The deathstalker (Leiurus quinquestriatus), is a species of scorpion, a member of the Buthidae family. It is also known as Palestine yellow scorpion, Omdurman scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and numerous other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal. To eliminate confusion, especially with potentially dangerous species, the scientific name is normally used to refer to them. The name Leiurus quinquestriatus roughly translates into English as "five-striped smooth-tail". Other species of the genus Leiurus are often referred to as "deathstalkers" as well.
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[edit] Description
L. quinquestriatus is straw yellow in color, and can grow 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length. Compared to other scorpions it is fairly lightly built, with a long, thin tail, and relatively narrow claws.
[edit] Geographic range
L. quinquestriatus can be found in desert and scrubland habitats ranging from North Africa through to the Middle East. Countries where it lives include Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Quatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
[edit] Venom
The deathstalker is regarded as a dangerous species because its venom is a powerful cocktail of neurotoxins, with a correspondingly low LD50 rating. It is considered the most venomous scorpion. Fortunately, whilst a sting from this scorpion would be extremely painful, it would be unlikely to kill an otherwise healthy, adult human. However, young children, the old, or infirm (such as those with a heart condition) would be at much greater risk. Additionally, any envenomation runs the risk of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to the venom. If a sting from Leiurus quinquestriatus does prove fatal, the cause of death is usually pulmonary edema. The German pharmaceutical company Twyford and the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur both make an antivenin intended for the treatment of deathstalker envenomations.
One component of the deathstalker's venom, the peptide chlorotoxin, has shown potential for treating human brain tumors 1. There has also been some evidence to show that other components of the venom may aid in the regulation of insulin, and could be used to treat diabetes.
Neurotoxins in L.quinquestriatus venom include the following:
[edit] In captivity
Despite the inherent danger in keeping such a highly venomous species as a pet, deathstalker scorpions are readily available in the exotic pet trade. They make hardy captives, and feed readily on commercially available crickets. They tend to be a nervous and aggressive species, only recommended for the most experienced of arachnid keepers.
