Deathstalker
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Scorpiones
Family:	Buthidae
Genus:	Leiurus
Species:	L. quinquestriatus
Binomial name
Leiurus quinquestriatus Hemprich & 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,^[1][2][3][4] 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. It is the most venomous scorpion in the world.

Description[link]

L. quinquestriatus is yellow in color, and measures 30–77 millimetres (1.2–3.0 in) long, with an average of 58 mm (2.3 in).^[5]

Geographic range[link]

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, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Venom[link]

The deathstalker is regarded as a highly dangerous species because its venom is a powerful cocktail of neurotoxins, with a low LD₅₀.^[6] While a sting from this scorpion is extraordinarily painful, it normally would not kill an otherwise healthy adult human. However, young children, the elderly, or infirm (such as those with a heart condition or those who are allergic) would be at much greater risk. 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^[7] and the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur^[8] both make an antivenom intended for the treatment of deathstalker envenomations; additionally, the Antivenom and Vaccine Production Center in Riyadh also produces an antivenom.^[9] However, even with antivenom treatment, envenomation by the deathstalker is considered a medical emergency as its venom is unusually resistant to treatment and typically requires large doses of antivenom.^[10]

In the United States and other countries outside of the typical range of the deathstalker, there is the additional complicating factor that none of the existing antivenoms are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (or equivalent agencies) and are only available as investigational drugs. The US Armed Forces maintains an Investigational drug (IND) application^[11] for the AVPC-Riyadh antivenom in the event of envenomation of soldiers in the Gulf War theater of operations, and the Florida Antivenin Bank maintains an IND application for Sanofi Pasteur's Scorpifav antivenom.^[12]

One component of the deathstalker's venom, the peptide chlorotoxin, has shown potential for treating human brain tumors.^[13] 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:

• Chlorotoxin
• Charybdotoxin
• Scyllatoxin
• Agitoxins type 1, 2 and 3

In captivity[link]

A deathstalker eating a cricket in captivity

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.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Exotic pet trade[link]

There is a considerable debate even among exotic pet owners about the ethics of keeping highly venomous arachnids such as L.quinquestriatus in captivity as exotic pets, because of concerns that inexperienced arachnid keepers may endanger themselves and because of the difficulties in obtaining antivenom in the event of envenomation. There is special concern among persons who keep venomous reptiles and arachnids as exotic pets regarding the marketing of L.quinquestriatus by pet stores, especially as the dangerous aspects are glorified whilst little evaluation is done with purchasers as to their experience with scorpions, highly venomous animals, or the potential risks of envenomation.^{[18] [19][20]}

There are legal aspects regarding keeping of L.quinquestriatus. Like all Buthidae, it requires a licence under the UK's 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals act. Jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada are increasingly including L.quinquestriatus in laws requiring permits to keep exotic animals or restricting ownership of "dangerous" exotics, and in some cases have outlawed the keeping of L.quinquestriatus save by licensed zoos and educational facilities. A number of state and provincial departments of fish and wildlife require exotic animal permits,^[21] and a number of cities and municipal governments have prohibited their ownership in their bylaws prohibiting ownership of dangerous exotics.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} Ownership of L.quinquestriatus may be broadly illegal in South Africa under similar laws prohibiting the ownership of dangerous animals.^[27]

References[link]

External links[link]

Arthropods portal

• Leiurus quinquestriatus, WikiPets