P. cavimanus or P. imperator?

Hi all, I picked this beasty today from a tarantula keeper that tried a scorpion and decided they didn't interest him (silly boy). He bought it as cavimanus, but I'm not sure...however, I don't have much experience with Pandinus and would appreciate some identification advice.

This is my son's first scorpion. He will be plenty excited when he gets home!

EC


http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/7372776706/http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/7372775302/

In my opinion it looks like a Heterometrus sp. due to the black telson (stinger), Emps and P. cavimanus telons both start out creamy white and darken off to a sort of dark red as they mature.

Hmmmm...the plot thickens. He/she certainly is very black all over. Any other opinions? I don't have a lot of experience with Heterometrus either.

I'm leaning towards a Pandinus species (cavimanus?), but honestly, I'm not really sure.

The genus Heterometrus has 4 trichobothria on ventral side of the tibia where Pandinus has more than 10 trichobothria on ventral side of the tibia.

Helpful things to know would be the instar, sex, and the location the scorp originated from.

Thanks, that's helpful. I have no idea of the instar or location of origin. I had a quick look and it appeard to be a female...but I should have taken a photo. Its in a burrow now...but I will move it to more permanent housing in the next couple of days and will try to take a close look then.

Quote :

Emps and P. cavimanus telons both start out creamy white and darken off to a sort of dark red as they mature.

But there are exceptions, and other Pandinus spp. aswell (P. ugandaensis, for instance, keep) the creamy color even when adults.

In any case, it's 100% for sure not an Emp.