Customer Reviews

Scorpions (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rubio's book is one of the few focused on the captive husbandry of scorpions -- he gives great information on breeding, housing, and raising these magnificent animals. In addition, his photos are of excellent quality, surpassed by no other that I have seen published in similar books!

There were a few drawbacks though -- some of the venom toxicity tables are clearly inaccurate! Species such as Centruroides gracilis are relatively weak all across their range, not just southern Florida! In addition, species such as Buthus occitanus have a more potent venom than illustrated here! Also, Rubio should have had his photographs identified by experts in the field before being published! Many of the photos were mis-labeled -- for instance, there is a photo of Androctonus australis that is labeled as Leiurus quinquestriatus, and there is another photo labeled Leiurus that is probably a Buthacus sp. Finally, a few of the photos were clearly of dead specimens (ala Hadrurus arizonensis pallidus and Vaejovis flavus -- I think that was them)...

Looking through the "minor" problems, if you're looking for a book with good information on the captive rearing of scorps, this book is the competition!

Despite a few inaccuracies and errors described elsewhere by another reviewer, this book will offer anyone new to keeping scorpions or who is curious about these most remarkable of animals an easy to read offering covering many diverse aspects of scorpions.
For those interested in keeping scorpions in captivity with little or no experience, this book should be considered a must read (along with "The Biology of Scorpions" by Gary A. Polis), as it offers a great deal of general information and care and maintenance information in an easy to read format for layperson and advanced keeper alike.
I'd recommend this book (and have dozens of times) to anyone with even a passing interest in scorpions.

A concise look at scorpion biology for the pet keeper. Has a good section on species commonly available (arranged in groups as easy, difficult and dangerous). Has a good overview of habitat requirements, but I wish it had more specifics in keeping the various species...this section is arranged in table form only. It only took me an hour to read it, and I wish it had gone into more detail in general.

At last- the perfect book for the hobbyist! All the information you could possibly ask for at your fingertips. This book covers everything the novice needs to know, and more. How to purchase, house and feed your scorpion is just the beginning. And the species charts are worth the price of the book themselves. The photographs are gorgeous and the book is concise and extremely well written. Even the advanced enthusiast will love this book. This book's a winner!

I bought this book just to get some basic information, since the female scorp. I bought at the pet store had babies last year....and I didn't expect so much information! I love it! Very glad I bought this book, the author is great, humorous in some areas, and very easy to read! Buy this book, you won't regret it :)

This is an excellent starter book and also has more in-depth information than what is required for simple husbandry (e.g. the section on breeding has what appear to be good suggestions and lots of factlets). Although it may have some inaccuracies, it would seem that this book alone is sufficient to get one started in raising the suggested (beginner) scorpions - not that one shouldn't seek more information, but we just purchased a couple Emperor scorpions and so far, the book has covered everything we appear to need. Photos and diagrams are excellent!

Wonderful resource for those who are looking for information on these amazing invertebrates. Basic care and important warnings about the collection and maintance of these new additions to the pet world. A resource for the beginner to the advanced .

Or, before you allow your son to buy. hehehe

I know that should go without saying but not everyone realizes how serious a thing this sort of "pet" is. This book covers how easily scorpions can make their escape and describes how to safely house them. As a mother that is my main concern.

I was pleased at how well the safety issues are covered in this area and we have been using this book to discuss with our son the importance of proper care and housing of a creature like this BEFORE he even buys one.

An excellent book written for scorpions breeders, not for scientist.
Includes all aspects from the way we choose a scorpion until conditions of captivity, breeding, diseases, etc. Photos and print quality is also excellent.
Ovidiu, www.scorpioni.info

This is a terrific book that I picked up from Amazon, it covers all the bases of owning and caring for your scorpion. The more interesting aspect of the book deals with scorpions and "stress", which isn't to say the mental kind, but how your scorpion deals with even minor changes to its environment. That section alone is incredibly insightful, and makes for great knowledge to have when taking care of your pet.

I'm by no means an expert, so I'll take the other reviewers on their word that there are some minor flaws with the book. But as a scorpion owner, I thought this was an excellent primer and a must-have book.