Androctonus Bicolor- What instar? Molting care suggestions

[Jamey]

Just got this youngster today, 8/26/2022, and I don't know what instar it is. It was advertised as an adult, but clearly isn't. It appears to be a 3rd or 4th instar to me, based on the pictures I have seen on the net, but I have not raised this species before so I am unsure. Suggestions on humidity and substrate would be much appreciated by people with experience in raising these to maturity. Is my substrate too coarse? I am using gravel with some rocky sand, native Texas substrate. I sterilized it in the over at 450 degrees for several hours. Should I add fine sand to make a smoother surface for molting? There are a couple of old sterilized oyster shells for hides/ scrapes I have provided for this beautiful young one. I have a larger oyster shell on the other side of the enclosure for water. I was going to buy some bottled, purified water in a glass container to provide for this creature. I have read different opinions on misting vs water dish/cap. From what I understand, the young ones need and tolerate more humidity than the 5i on up. I doubt this is a 5i, but again, I don't know. I know these species are small, and this one seems to be a little over an inch, possibly an inch and a half if I were able to unfurl it's mighty little tail, which isn't going to happen, of course. Please help! I would like to provide it with the best environment and care. I love it, and have been wanting an example of this species, but have previously only raised tropical specimens. Please excuse the low quality pictures, hopefully they are sufficient. Enclosure is 10x 6inches

 

[darkness975]

Just got this youngster today, 8/26/2022, and I don't know what instar it is. It was advertised as an adult, but clearly isn't. It appears to be a 3rd or 4th instar to me, based on the pictures I have seen on the net, but I have not raised this species before so I am unsure. Suggestions on humidity and substrate would be much appreciated by people with experience in raising these to maturity. Is my substrate too coarse? I am using gravel with some rocky sand, native Texas substrate. I sterilized it in the over at 450 degrees for several hours. Should I add fine sand to make a smoother surface for molting? There are a couple of old sterilized oyster shells for hides/ scrapes I have provided for this beautiful young one. I have a larger oyster shell on the other side of the enclosure for water. I was going to buy some bottled, purified water in a glass container to provide for this creature. I have read different opinions on misting vs water dish/cap. From what I understand, the young ones need and tolerate more humidity than the 5i on up. I doubt this is a 5i, but again, I don't know. I know these species are small, and this one seems to be a little over an inch, possibly an inch and a half if I were able to unfurl it's mighty little tail, which isn't going to happen, of course. Please help! I would like to provide it with the best environment and care. I love it, and have been wanting an example of this species, but have previously only raised tropical specimens. Please excuse the low quality pictures, hopefully they are sufficient. Enclosure is 10x 6inches View attachment 427322 View attachment 427322 View attachment 427323 View attachment 427325 View attachment 427326

Not 100% sure on instar but it seems quite young.

 

[ForTW]

They don't get superb large, 8cm including the tail! I'd say i5/6.