native scorpions

[Rebecca Burrett]

two years ago i was told by some teenagers that there are scorpions on a field just round the corner from me. I didnt really believe them but thought it was possible {if they came over in boat or some one's pets that have managed to adapt and thrieve in our enviroment.
The last summer i was told from a reliable source that there are scorpions, i didnt get a chance to take a look myself but will be this summer.
Just wondered if we do have scorpions native to england and if anybody knew any info on them.
Thsnks in advance

[CJ_GRISDALE]

Cant give you any info as I cant remember in detail, but I watched a documentry a while back where a group went out with uv lights and founds large numbers of scorpions. It was filmed down south somewhere cant remember where, but I dont believe they where native from this country they have probably come of freight ships in fruit etc and adapted to our new warmer temperatures from global warming.

[Warren Beattie]

Not native to England, but introduced. It's Euscorpius flavicaudis. The common name is the yellow-tailed scorpion, I think.
I take interest in this one as the only British scorpion, even if it is introduced. I have a couple of small juveniles at the moment. But as the linked page mentions, they're not commonly kept. Bit of a shame, IMO.
But if they're in a field round the corner from you, maybe we could talk...

[Adam Smith]

There are 2 known colonies in the UK cant remember the exact areas, they are mentioned in the scorpion book written by Ann Webb. They were most likely a bunch that had gotten transported through crates from Europe as there is a species of European scoprion, mostly they were stowaways but not to say that it wasnt a bunch that escaped from someones private collection.

[Rebecca Burrett]

But if they're in a field round the corner from you, maybe we could talk...

cheers for the link will have to get some now. Im sure something can be sorted, as ive got family in county antrim and my grandparents are planning a trip there later this year so i could pop along with if they go

[Ray Gabriel]

Hi Rebecca where are you in the UK i will tell you if you are near the main colony

Guess what a future BTS article, we have been visiting the colony for the past 5?6? years (apart from last year) so loads of info pics etc, but sorry i wont give the site away.

Ray

[Rebecca Burrett]

hi Ray, i live in lincoln,

[lee smith]

i did a quick google search of these and found this site which has some good info about them, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/eflavuk/es.htm

the seem to live mainly around the south east end of the country and there is also apparently a large colony of them on the island of sheppy.

i wouldn't mind having a few of these myself, as they should be fairly easy to keep.

[Adam Smith]

this sp of scorpion can be purchased at events and shows although I would imagine that you would have more chance at the european shows than in the UK. Europe and US have a lot more scorpion sp and more emphasis on breeding scorpions, could do with more sp available over here to be honest. Although i would not agree with taking the established colonies here in the UK and should be left. It is ok to explore and see them living they do ya never know anyone in that part of the country may well have them in the back garden and be unaware.

[Warren Beattie]

Time for a membership renewal, I think.

Rebecca: Ah... I was thinking RM next-day delivery! Although with the hints of secret locations I'm starting to feel a little guilty about asking.
Propagation, not strip mining. Honest!

[Ray Hale]

Hi, Im not being a kiljoy and Ray G would know more about it than me but
bear in mind if you visit any site it is not recommended that you collect any.These are probably protected colonies and it would be viewed in a dim light by many. On a positive note though they are readily bred abroad and I have seen them as captive bred at our Exhibition.

Remember the old saying

" take only photographs and leave only footprints"

Ray

[Warren Beattie]

bear in mind if you visit any site it is not recommended that you collect any.These are probably protected colonies and it would be viewed in a dim light by many.

I respect that. I'd say I understand and respect that, but I'm slightly confused. I mean, fair enough if they're protected; but... why?

[Rebecca Burrett]

Hi, Im not being a kiljoy and Ray G would know more about it than me but
bear in mind if you visit any site it is not recommended that you collect any.These are probably protected colonies and it would be viewed in a dim light by many. On a positive note though they are readily bred abroad and I have seen them as captive bred at our Exhibition.

Remember the old saying

" take only photographs and leave only footprints"

Ray

i understand i was wandering wheather i should or just observe them in their natural habitat. Now know to leave them, will also keep an eye out for the at the exhibition.
Just going off the subject quickly the arndsti is coming up to moult i think have blocked off the entrance to her burrow.
here a pic that i managed to snap up.
Thankyou again for her, shes a nice addition to the collection

[Ray Hale]

Having checked I dont think they are actually protected yet but I know a couple of organisations are trying to get them added to the list.

There are only a couple of known sites of these critters and although there are decent colonies they need to establish further. I wasnt suggesting you shouldnt go take a look , if you get the chance its an experience.

[Adam Smith]

If people live near the location where the colonies are established by all means people should but i agree 100% they should not be taken and only admired. There are many people who breed this but as said most are european and US are breeding scorpins more than here in the UK i would like to see scorp breeding pick up more over here, they are just as fascinating as ts