Tami Sleeper Scorpion

The Tami Sleeper Scorpion is a relatively large, squat, and robust scorpion species native to India, subtopical regions of the middle east, and some parts of south eastern Asia. The species is well known for its reddish brown coloration, large claws, and potent sting that causes immense pain as well as partial paralysis of the affected area. Due to their cryptic coloration, sleeper scorpions are difficult to see at dawn and dusk when they are most active, and carry a high risk of accidental encounter by way of stepping on them. Like many scorpions however, they glow under UV light.

The species is most at home in relatively wet and moist environments south of the Himalayas, being most common in India and the middle east. Although occasionally found outside these regions, such populations are considered invasive and most likely spread due to the import and export of goods, such as fruits, that commonly attract their favorite prey.

Like other scorpions, the species feasts primarily on insects, with large beetles, flies, grasshoppers and locusts, and caterpillars being favored above other prey. Occasionally, they will feed on small mammals such as mice, young rats, moles, and even small birds if they are available, however these are most commonly scavenged rather than pursued. In some areas with mice and rat infestations, the scorpions have been known to scavenge dead rodents from mouse traps, making their removal a hassle.

Named for their habits of sleeping throughout the majority of the day, sleeper scorpions are most active at dawn and dusk when they will venture out of burrows and from under rocks, logs, and fallen trees to hunt. They are commonly found in farmer's fields and fruit plantations, eating a wide array of pests, and so are a generally welcome sight. The species is incredibly skittish and defensive, being well known to raise its claws and stinger when encountering people or larger animals, threatening to sting if approached. Due to their large size, this defensive behavior is commonly mistaken for aggression, with many mistaking the scorpions trying to flee as 'chasing' them. In reality, the species has incredibly poor long range vision, especially during peak daylight hours, and is more likely to try and flee under a person's feet, likely mistaking them for shelter.   Females of the species are well known for being highly defensive of their young, which they will carry on their bodies until their third molt, at which point the young become independent. Cannibalism is common among the species, with the vast majority of infant sleeper scorpions being eaten by males attempting to mate with their mother.

The species' venom has been a scientific curiosity for centuries due to its properties, causing partial muscle paralysis in a localized area. Due to not being considered life threatening, more akin to a painful bee sting, it has been extensively studied for potential medical usage for as long as the species has been known to science. In 16,823, a process of isolating the compounds in the venom that cause muscle paralysis was able to create a formula derived from the venom that created a potent muscle relaxant that was effective for dragonkin, being the first of its kind on the market at a cost effective scale. This initial formula was used to create many drugs used in surgical centers today as part of anesthesia formulated specifically to treating dragons.   Although research into the venom's compounds is far from over, its speculated that some aspects of it may eventually see use for cosmetic procedures such partially replacing botox in some cases.   The species is also well known among farmers and the owners of fruit plantations, being openly welcomed and a part of natural pest removal. In many regions in India, the scorpions are oftentimes said to be coworkers to the farmers themselves. Some farms will purposefully construct burrows for the scorpions underneath storehouses out of bricks and flat rock in order to promote them taking up residence on their properties to control pests, or leave out rotting fruit to attract their favorite prey to specific areas. Although by far less common, some farms will purposefully breed Tami Sleeper Scorpions and release them onto their properties or sell them alongside other farm supplies.   They are not a common insect within the pet trade, but hobbyists swear by the species' beauty and relative handleability, as long as their females do not have offspring. Due to their painful stings, they are not recommended as a pet for children or teenagers, and must be considered a 'hands off' species that is handled as little as possible.