Aloe Vera

Dry Desert

Arachnoprince
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
1,598
As Aloe Vera originally came from the Arabian Peninsula and now grows in virtually all tropical countries - where 90% of scorpions are found - I can't see a problem. After all its only a succulent dry desert type plant with anti fungal properties, and really nothing negative can be said about the plant.
Yes it has tiny, tiny spike like growth on the outer edge of the leaf that won;t cause any harm to scorpions. Maybe not so good for "dopey" Tarantulas that seem to want to climb everything so they can fall back down and injure themselves, not a problem in a scorpion enclosure though.
 

Asian Jesus

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Messages
32
As Aloe Vera originally came from the Arabian Peninsula and now grows in virtually all tropical countries - where 90% of scorpions are found - I can't see a problem. After all its only a succulent dry desert type plant with anti fungal properties, and really nothing negative can be said about the plant.
Yes it has tiny, tiny spike like growth on the outer edge of the leaf that won;t cause any harm to scorpions. Maybe not so good for "dopey" Tarantulas that seem to want to climb everything so they can fall back down and injure themselves, not a problem in a scorpion enclosure though.
But is it ok for a heterometrus spinifer ?
 

MetalMan2004

Arachnodemon
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Messages
674
I think its safe, the bigger question is does the enclosure have the proper conditions to keep the aloe plant and the scorpion healthy together. Aloe likes lots of sun. Most arachnids usually don’t love a lot of light.
 

Garetyl

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
203
No. Aloes would rot in a H spinifer enclosure. They require far less moisture and will basically turn into a rotting, gooey mush from the roots up.
 

Asian Jesus

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Messages
32
what plants would you recommend in a h. spinifer enclosure? (idk if you need to know but, i am using coconut fiber)
 

Garetyl

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
203
Hmm, I'm not entirely sure. I've been looking into it myself, and Hibiscus or Orchids native to Malaysia might work? You're generally looking for species of plants from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, ect. Just... Nothing carnivorous like pitchers.
 

Dry Desert

Arachnoprince
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
1,598
No. Aloes would rot in a H spinifer enclosure. They require far less moisture and will basically turn into a rotting, gooey mush from the roots up.
Hi.spinifer are not fish, the don't live in water. I have kept succulents in moist enclosures you just keep the plant in the opposite end to the moist end and water very sparingly. @MetalMan2004 with reference to the plant requiring lots of light, as scorpions are nocturnal and hide during the day light doesn't bother them, well none of mine are bothered by lights artificial or natural -.do you keep your inverts in the cupboard ??
 

Garetyl

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
203
Hi.spinifer are not fish, the don't live in water. I have kept succulents in moist enclosures you just keep the plant in the opposite end to the moist end and water very sparingly. @MetalMan2004 with reference to the plant requiring lots of light, as scorpions are nocturnal and hide during the day light doesn't bother them, well none of mine are bothered by lights artificial or natural -.do you keep your inverts in the cupboard ??
I know aloe vera, I've been growing and caring for succulents for 20 years. They will not appreciate the moisture.
 

Garetyl

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
203
You need 1-2+ inches minimum of dry soil between watering. Everything I've read about H. Spinifer says they require a humid environment. At least aim to kill the plant instead of the scorpion.

Trust me; I tried including aloe vera with my crested geckos. The plants rotted out.
 

MetalMan2004

Arachnodemon
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Messages
674
Hi.spinifer are not fish, the don't live in water. I have kept succulents in moist enclosures you just keep the plant in the opposite end to the moist end and water very sparingly. @MetalMan2004 with reference to the plant requiring lots of light, as scorpions are nocturnal and hide during the day light doesn't bother them, well none of mine are bothered by lights artificial or natural -.do you keep your inverts in the cupboard ??
My inverts stay in a room that gets light from a window. They sure don’t get direct sun 8 hrs each day though. If keeping aloe in moist, bright containers works for you then go for it I guess. Its far from optimal for both the plant and the invert though.
 

darkness975

Latrodectus
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
6,142
As Aloe Vera originally came from the Arabian Peninsula and now grows in virtually all tropical countries - where 90% of scorpions are found - I can't see a problem. After all its only a succulent dry desert type plant with anti fungal properties, and really nothing negative can be said about the plant.
Yes it has tiny, tiny spike like growth on the outer edge of the leaf that won;t cause any harm to scorpions. Maybe not so good for "dopey" Tarantulas that seem to want to climb everything so they can fall back down and injure themselves, not a problem in a scorpion enclosure though.
Thank you for contributing to my "dislike" count.

Regarding my post - I said "I wouldn't." Meaning I personally would not add an Aloe plant to a Scorpion enclosure. It's inviting issues.

If a keeper is an expert botanist that can maintain a living plant along with a Scorpion in an enclosure meeting the necessary requirements (lighting conditions, water conditions - I'll be it limited - etc.) Its hypothetically possible. I am well versed in horticulture and I am aware that an Aloe is a succulent species that requires limited water, so it is certainly feasible to do so in the right environment.

But if a Scorpion scrapes its bottom side on an Aloe plant, would it cause injury? I cannot say for sure.

Is the liquid inside of the Aloe toxic to invertebrates? I don't know that either. I have never looked.

My reply merely indicated that I personally would not try keeping an Aloe plant in a Scorpion enclosure. I never indicated that it was 100% impossible.

The OP never indicated the species of Scorpion either. It is not known if it is a desert, rain forest, etc. species. An Aloe Vera will not survive well in a humid moist environment.
 
Last edited:

StampFan

Arachnodemon
Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Messages
756
Thank you for contributing to my "dislike" count.

Regarding my post - I said "I wouldn't." Meaning I personally would not add an Aloe plant to a Scorpion enclosure. It's inviting issues.

If a keeper is an expert botanist that can maintain a living plant along with a Scorpion in an enclosure meeting the necessary requirements (lighting conditions, water conditions - I'll be it limited - etc.) Its hypothetically possible. I am well versed in horticulture and I am aware that an Aloe is a succulent species that requires limited water, so it is certainly feasible to do so in the right environment.

But if a Scorpion scrapes its bottom side on an Aloe plant, would it cause injury? I cannot say for sure.

Is the liquid inside of the Aloe toxic to invertebrates? I don't know that either. I have never looked.

My reply merely indicated that I personally would not try keeping an Aloe plant in a Scorpion enclosure. I never indicated that it was 100% impossible.

The OP never indicated the species of Scorpion either. It is not known if it is a desert, rain forest, etc. species. An Aloe Vera will not survive well in a humid moist environment.
Am I correct that aloe also prefer cooler temperatures? I read that a few places....
 

Galapoheros

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
8,982
There's a website that sells tropical plants just for this but I can't think of the name. I think it has the word "jungle" in it, I can't find it though, some may know what I'm talking about.
 

Dry Desert

Arachnoprince
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
1,598
Thank you for contributing to my "dislike" count.

Regarding my post - I said "I wouldn't." Meaning I personally would not add an Aloe plant to a Scorpion enclosure. It's inviting issues.

If a keeper is an expert botanist that can maintain a living plant along with a Scorpion in an enclosure meeting the necessary requirements (lighting conditions, water conditions - I'll be it limited - etc.) Its hypothetically possible. I am well versed in horticulture and I am aware that an Aloe is a succulent species that requires limited water, so it is certainly feasible to do so in the right environment.

But if a Scorpion scrapes its bottom side on an Aloe plant, would it cause injury? I cannot say for sure.

Is the liquid inside of the Aloe toxic to invertebrates? I don't know that either. I have never looked.

My reply merely indicated that I personally would not try keeping an Aloe plant in a Scorpion enclosure. I never indicated that it was 100% impossible.

The OP never indicated the species of Scorpion either. It is not known if it is a desert, rain forest, etc. species. An Aloe Vera will not survive well in a humid moist environment.
It was a " disagree ' rating actually not a dislike one.
 

Garetyl

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
203
Am I correct that aloe also prefer cooler temperatures? I read that a few places....
From my experience, no. They'll burn if left out in direct sunlight, but they grow quicker in the summertime.

Thank you for contributing to my "dislike" count.

Regarding my post - I said "I wouldn't." Meaning I personally would not add an Aloe plant to a Scorpion enclosure. It's inviting issues.

If a keeper is an expert botanist that can maintain a living plant along with a Scorpion in an enclosure meeting the necessary requirements (lighting conditions, water conditions - I'll be it limited - etc.) Its hypothetically possible. I am well versed in horticulture and I am aware that an Aloe is a succulent species that requires limited water, so it is certainly feasible to do so in the right environment.

But if a Scorpion scrapes its bottom side on an Aloe plant, would it cause injury? I cannot say for sure.

Is the liquid inside of the Aloe toxic to invertebrates? I don't know that either. I have never looked.

My reply merely indicated that I personally would not try keeping an Aloe plant in a Scorpion enclosure. I never indicated that it was 100% impossible.

The OP never indicated the species of Scorpion either. It is not known if it is a desert, rain forest, etc. species. An Aloe Vera will not survive well in a humid moist environment.
From my personal experience; arachnids and insects avoid my living aloe vera plants. I don't think they like them much. I do know that the membrane between the leaf and gel is toxic to birds, cats, and dogs, so there is a distinct possibility. They will hide in dried out aloe bark, but never on living plants.

Also, they're very easy to break and very goopy when broken. I can easily see an invert getting stuck.

And then, there are issue such as;
  1. The size they can get. Mine are easily over a foot and most of that is above ground.
  2. The fact that they reproduce via "pups", meaning they will spread if given optimal conditions. They're basically parthenogenic plants. If not given enough room, they'll still grow and easily overcrowd a terrarium. We had one in a large pot and every so often, we have to dig it and its babies out to keep them from falling out of the pot.
 
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