What Type of Venom Is in the Death Stalker Scorpion?

Death Stalker Scorpion

• At a length of 3.5 to 4.5 inches, the death stalker scorpion's size is notoriously deceiving. The species is actually "the second most dangerous scorpion in the world," according to Off Beat Pets. Although its diet mainly consists of larger insects, the death atalker's powerful venom is nothing short of overkill. Not only can it easily dispatch prey, but this scorpion's sting is extremely dangerous for a full-grown human. Although a healthy adult might only fall ill from the venom, the bodies of infants, children and the elderly might not be able to handle it.

Venom

• The death stalker Scorpion's venom consists of neurotoxins that include Scyllatoxin; type 1, 2, 3 agitoxins; chlorotoxin; and charybdotoxin. Neurotoxins affect the nervous system, including the brain, the heart and the lungs. If medical treatment is not administered, the victim can eventually experience convulsions, fever, coma, heart failure, respiratory arrest and eventually, death.

Medical Benefits

• Ironically, the venom of the death stalker scorpion has beneficial properties. "ScienceDaily" explains that one of the scorpion's toxic components, chlorotoxin, can potentially facilitate treatment of brain cancer. Chlorotoxin has been tested in lab mice to assess its effectiveness with gene therapy. Gene therapy is a cancer treatment in which "therapeutic genes" are inserted into the body to treat a disease, such as brain cancer. The amount of genes received by the brain cells is limited with conventional methods. However, chlorotoxin aids in the delivery of these genes, almost doubling the amount of therapeutic genes received by the brain cells in mice tested. If adapted for humans, this could make gene therapy much more efficient.

First Aid

• Despite their alarming appearance, scorpions attack people only in self-defense. If you toy with a death stalker in any way, it might retaliate. If you happen are stung, immediately tie a tourniquet just above the sting. Apply ice to the affected area and get to a hospital as soon as possible.