Scorpion (Safari LTD - Incredible Creatures)

Walk-around of the scorpion, gen. sp. by Safari LTD, Incredible Creatures, reissued for 2018. The scorpion was not marketed at the species level. While it was originally hinted at being African during the teaser Polaroid shots released by Safari late last year, I do not think it was intended to be an African species. More likely, it was modeled after North American species Hadrurus arizonensis Ewing, 1928 or Paravaejovis spinigerus (Wood, 1863) [or a related vaejovid].

This figure is simply a reissue of the Hidden Kingdom scorpion from 2000, but with an upgraded paint job. One thing that is odd, is that while the stamp on the bottom of the figure is not the same as the 2000 model, it still has ‘2000’ stamped on the underside! Safari LTD must base copyright dates on when the initial sculpt was released.

I should also point out, the few remaining figures available from the Hidden Kingdom line have been merged with Incredible Creatures. This could be an advantage for someone like me; if Safari continues with taxonomic diversity in the IC line, this could mean more regular insects or arachnids (despite several crustaceans this is the first arachnid in the IC line, and there has been only one insect prior to the sinking of the Hidden Kingdom figures into it!).

The figure measures 17 cm (tail outstretched, but not including pedipalps), making it slightly over 1:1 for a very large specimen of H. arizonensis or roughly 2.5:1 for P. spinigerus. Like the original HK figure, the metasoma (tail) and pedipalps (pincers) are poseable.

In all honesty, unless you are a completist (with regards to taxon or company), there is probably no reason to get this if you have the 2000 release (unless you like the color better). I like it, but I am not excited for it.

On to the pics.

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Out with the old, in with the new:

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Scorpions are no stranger to Safari LTD over the years: Smithsonian Insects (1994), Hidden Kingdom (2000), Incredible Creatures (2018), Desert Creatures TOOB, Insects TOOB, Venomous Creatures TOOB, Authentics Insects, Cave Dwellers TOOB (2014), and Good Luck Mini (2017). The entire Safari scorpion family:

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What an Incredible Collection

Thankyou very much for showing these ! It is very useful and interesting

Thanks for telling us what really changed from the previous one to this reissued one. I really also like the newer painting much better, it is far more convincent with these less bright colors. Although not an expert but just as a scorpions enthusiast, I am also almost sure it is not an African species and that you are pointing it towards the right direction. I find the Smythsonian figure really impressive and the cave scorpion an interesting release. All other Safari scorpions do not look very exciting to me. Contrarily to what happens with the only scorpion of my collection, the Papo one.

Nice scorpion :)