Is the venom from larger scorpions less dangerous?

Question

I saw the last Indiana Jones movie and the young kid character named Mutt got stung by a large scorpion. Indiana Jones told him that the venom from smaller scorpions was more deadly. Is there any truth to that?

Answer 1

Never, never, never disagree with Indiana.  He is right

Answer 2

Yes this is true. How dare you question Indiana Jones!

Answer 3

Doctor Jones should have said in The Americas, the smaller the Scorpion the more dangerous.

The Arizona bark scorpion can run between 7-8 cm (2.75-3.14 and that is the most dangerous species in North America.

L. quinquestriatus is 9 to 11.5 cm (3.5 to 4.5 inches) also native to the Americas.

A. australis's venom is roughly half that of L. quinquestriatus (both are native to the Americas).

Most scorpion stings are minor and only the Arizona and African ones need anti-venom.  I am not sure if there is an anti-venom for the Australian species.  Since Dr. Jones was in South America he knew that ANY scorpion encountered would not be a problem.  In fact it would most likely be the striped bark scorpion breed.

The Asian scorpions are the largest and the least dangerous.

Fattail scorpion or fat-tailed scorpion is the most dangerous, but native to Africa 10 cm (just under 4 in).  So they are the exception to the rule.

All the animals native to Australia are the most venomous of their type.

Scorpions are able to regulate the type of venom and amount that they inject.  They can stun or try to kill their victims; they probably would try to give the most dangerous amount to a large animal like a human.

The rule that the smaller creatures are the more dangerous envenomations is not a safe rule to stick to.  The rattlesnake is larger than the copperhead snake and the copperhead almost never kills.   I have heard this rule before and I thought it sounded right because the smaller creature would need a more toxic venom to work and would be more often another creature’s prey; however I was wrong.  I am not going to say a professional like Harrison Ford’s character is not an accomplished professional and well educated, but old wives tales and general stories are more often wrong than right (that is why chicken soup is the exception and was a surprise to scientists).  He may have been quoting a general story, or he may have been quoting a rule that is only true for the Americas.

According to Wikipedia:

“All scorpion species possess venom. In general, scorpion venom is described as neurotoxic in nature. One exception to this generalization is Hemiscorpius lepturus which possesses cytotoxic venom. The neurotoxins consist of a variety of small proteins that afect neuronal ion channels responsable of action potentials, which serve to interfere with neurotransmission in the victim. Scorpions use their venom to kill or paralyze their prey so that it can be eaten; in general it is fast-acting, allowing for effective prey capture. The effects of the sting can be severe.

Scorpion venoms are optimized for action upon other arthropods and therefore most scorpions are relatively harmless to humans; stings produce only local effects (such as pain, numbness or swelling). A few scorpion species, however, mostly in the family Buthidae, can be dangerous to humans. Among the most dangerous are Leiurus quinquestriatus, otherwise ominously known as the deathstalker, which has the most potent venom in the family, and members of the genera Parabuthus, Tityus, Centruroides, and especially Androctonus, which also have powerful venom. The scorpion which is responsible for the most human deaths is Androctonus australis, or the yellow fat-tailed scorpion, of North Africa. The toxicity of A. australis's venom is roughly half that of L. quinquestriatus, but despite a common misconception A. australis does not inject noticeably more venom into its prey. The higher death count is simply due to its being found more commonly, especially near humans. Human deaths normally occur in the young, elderly, or infirm; scorpions are generally unable to deliver enough venom to kill healthy adults. Some people, however, may be allergic to the venom of some species. Depending on the severity of the allergy, the scorpion's sting may cause anaphylaxis and death. A primary symptom of a scorpion sting is numbing at the injection site, sometimes lasting for several days. Scorpions are generally harmless and timid, and only voluntarily use their sting for killing prey, defending themselves or in territorial disputes with other scorpions. Generally, they will run from danger or remain still.

Scorpions are able to regulate how much venom is injected with each sting using striated muscles in the stinger, the usual amount being between 0.1 and 0.6 mg. There is also evidence to suggest that scorpions restrict the use of their venom using it only to subdue large prey, or prey that struggles. It has been found that scorpions have two types of venom: a translucent, weaker venom designed to stun only, and an opaque, more potent venom designed to kill heavier threats. This is likely because it is expensive in terms of energy for a scorpion to produce venom, and because it may take several days for a scorpion to replenish its venom supply once it has been exhausted.”

According to Wikipedia:

“L. quinquestriatus is straw yellow in color, and can grow 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9 to 11.5 cm) in length.”

According to Wikipedia:  

“The Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus, included in Centruroides exilicauda), is a small light brown scorpion common to the southwest United States. The range of the scorpion is the Sonoran Desert, though less toxic relatives of the scorpion are located throughout the Southern US. An adult male can reach 8 cm in length (3.14 inches), while a female is slightly smaller, with a maximum length of 7 cm (2.75 inches).

According to Wikipedia:  

“The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is an extremely common scorpion found throughout the midsection of the United States and northern Mexico; indeed, it is perhaps the most frequently encountered scorpion in the U.S.

Though not aggressive, the scorpion's close association with humans makes envenomation relatively common. The sting can be extremely painful. For some, the worst passes in 15-20 minutes, but not uncommon to remain very painful with numbing sensations for 2-3 days. Fatalities are rare, and due to anaphylactic shock rather than the venom itself.”

A medium-sized scorpion that is rarely longer than 60 mm (up to around 7cm), it is easily identified by two dark, longitudinal stripes on its carapace, with a dark triangular mark on its head. There are minor variations on this theme, however; specimens that are lighter-colored and lack the characteristic stripes have been described as separate species in the past.

According to Wikipedia:  

“Fattail scorpion or fat-tailed scorpion is the common name given to scorpions of the genus Androctonus, which is one of the most dangerous groups of scorpion species in the world. They are found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of the Middle-East and Africa. They are a moderate sized scorpion, attaining lengths of 10 cm (just under 4 in). Their name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail. Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. Stings from Androctonus species are known to cause several human deaths each year. The German pharmaceutical company Twyford manufactures an antivenin for treatment of Androctonus and two closely related genera, Buthus, and Leiurus, envenomations.”

According to Wikipedia:  

“The Black Mamba (nicknamed The Shadow of Death) (Dendroaspis polylepis) is an elapid snake. It is the largest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest venomous snake in the world. Only the King Cobra is longer. Adult black mambas have an average length of 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) and a maximum length of 4.5 meters (~14 ft).”

According to Wikipedia:  

“Common names: copperhead (snake), chunk head, death adder, (dry-land) moccasin, more.

Agkistrodon contortrix is a venomous pitviper species found in North America. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here….

Although venomous, these snakes are generally non-aggressive and bites are almost never fatal. Copperhead venom has an estimated lethal dose of around 100mg, and tests on mice show its potency is among the lowest of all pit vipers, though slightly stronger than that of its close relative, the cottonmouth.”

According to Wikipedia:

“Untreated rattlesnake bites, especially from larger species, are very often fatal.”

Answer 4

absolutely  

Answer 5

No. I really wouldn't go by stuff Indy says. He's ficticious. I think he just told the kid that so he wouldn't fret.

Answer 6

yes , the venom is the same substance, but in the young scopion it is more concentrated....kinda like downey and super concentrated downey...it takes alot more of the unconcentrarted to do the same work

Answer 7

typically (and we're thinking in proportion to the body):

larger pincers = weaker venom

smaller pincers = stronger venom

there are of course always exceptions, but this will help you if you're out in the wild ;D