# The Schmidt Sting Pain Index: what's your level?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-schmidt-sting-pain-index-whats-your-level/550432>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 16, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-schmidt-sting-pain-index-whats-your-level/550432 "2010-08-16T18:10:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-schmidt-sting-pain-index-whats-your-level/550432/41 "2010-08-17T16:14:36Z")

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> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> > [@Malthus](#):
> >
> > There are people who actually _want_ to own one of those? 😕
> 
> Oh, certainly :). Not me ( anymore ), but arthropod pet geeks are certainly around and arguably increasing in number ( at least they seemed to be in the 90’s, when everyone wanted a pet Bird-Eating Spider )..

Spiders are one thing, but centipedes definitely fall into the ‘nuke it from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure’ zone.

If we accidentaly get a few arthropod pet geeks at the same time - acceptable collateral damage! 😉

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**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-schmidt-sting-pain-index-whats-your-level/550432/42 "2010-08-17T16:55:56Z")

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> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> > [@Acid\_Lamp](#):
> >
> > 4.5 [Bark Scorpion](http://stoppopculture.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bark-scorpion.jpg). -Initial searing pain that feels cold, followed by a rush of heat to the area and a persistent dull ache that lasts 12 hrs. The would heals quickly as the swelling recedes so while quite painful, it remains lower on my list.
> 
> I’ve had friends that would back that up - one compare it to sticking your hand on an electric burner, turning it to high and leaving it there.
> 
> That said, I’m pretty sure that photo is mislabeled. It looks like a big _Hadrurus_ to me, probably _H. arizonensis_ - note all the setae on the appendages ( hence the common name of “hairy scorpions” for the genus ). [Bark Scorpions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Basgen-scorpion-compared.JPG) are actually much smaller.

I think you’re correct on that ID. I thought the tail looked a little fat as well. Either way, still a nasty customer.

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**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-schmidt-sting-pain-index-whats-your-level/550432/43 "2010-08-17T16:59:24Z")

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> [@Malthus](#):
>
> There are people who actually _want_ to own one of those? 😕

You bet there are! Those things are like little demonic chainsaws on legs. They actually eat like they are feeding the prey into a wood chipper. It’s really pretty awesome to watch a big one kill and eat an adult mouse. On the other hand, being bitten by one was the second most painful experience of my life. Only breaking a bone has hurt worse. I haven’t made the acquaintance of the bullet ant yet so I can’t compare directly to the chart, but I’m willing to bet that centipede blows it out of the water.

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