How Scorpions Moult

[fusion121]

I got to see my Androctonus sp. moulting last night, so I thought I'd document the process, It took about 4 1/2 hours in total:

Chelicerae withdraw from old cuticle:

Carapace ruptures, pedipalps withdrawn:

Pedipalps completely withdrawn, legs withdrawn:

Scorpion tips onto side:

Legs are freed from old cuticle:

Moulting complete:

 

[Kaos]

Really nice pics. Its amazing how they manage to get out in one piece

 

[fusion121]

Yes its really amazing , getting the tail out seems to be the most difficult part.

 

[ink_scorpion]

Very cool molt pictures, and what a cool scorp! :drool:

 

[cacoseraph]

molting and black (light) magic

good gods! that's amazing.

i just had a wee little C. exilicauda almost double in size after molting three days ago. i now have a much deeper respect for her pulling that magic trick off.

also on a somewhat related note, if you have a black light periodically check out your fresh molted scorp. mine was pretty much completely black light reactive just before molting, then pretty much completely dark immediately after. over the next three days the reactivity came back. i read it might have something to do with the cuticle curing or something, or maybe secretions. pretty cool to watch, regardless

 

[carpe scorpio]

Very nice indeed, looks like 4th or 5th instar A. bicolor.

 

[Schlyne]

Awesome photo series. I've always kinda wondered how they managed to get the claws and the legs out.

 

[prang11]

Awsome. Sure is a beautiful scorp after the molt is complete.

 

[Robson]

so f*%&$#* nice, cool picture, good quality, but scorp is soo cool

 

[ilovebugs]

simply amazing.

anyone know how often emperors molt? I've had mine for several months, but no sign of molting yet.

 

[Rabid Flea]

Amazing photos, I have not had the privilige of seeing one of my "adult" emps molt yet... thanks for the great pix!

 

[G. Carnell]

lower instars= less time between moults
higher instars= more time between moults

emps mature over 1.5 to 2 years, so several months is fine for a subadult

 

[mimic58]

Wow kool pics Fusion I been wondering for ages how they did it and hoping id see this someday, I have been waiting Eons for my scorps to molt and still no signs ,Thanks for sharing such good images!!