Bioactive, Living Art, or Bare Bones

[jadake]

Hello All!
I'm curious how people view their scorpion pals' homes. I've seen the full gamut of approaches from making enclosures a beautiful realistic setting, to the bare minimalist approach in a shoe box. From my perspective, I really like the beautification of the habitat. Maybe it's not as equally appreciated by the scorpion, but I can either look at that in my office or a picture bought from Target - easy choice.

For those who do prefer a minimalist approach for the enclosure, is it because you own many scorpions? Or, a more pragmatic idea in the sense inverts don't necessarily need much to be content? Something else?

 

[viper69]

I only do Ts of arachnids. It’s all the above depending on the person. Some people design full blown setups even if that have 40+.

When you have large numbers like hundreds pragmatic makes more sense be it inverts or snakes etc

 

[Mustafa67]

Hello All!
I'm curious how people view their scorpion pals' homes. I've seen the full gamut of approaches from making enclosures a beautiful realistic setting, to the bare minimalist approach in a shoe box. From my perspective, I really like the beautification of the habitat. Maybe it's not as equally appreciated by the scorpion, but I can either look at that in my office or a picture bought from Target - easy choice.

For those who do prefer a minimalist approach for the enclosure, is it because you own many scorpions? Or, a more pragmatic idea in the sense inverts don't necessarily need much to be content? Something else?

It depends how much time you have and how many

 

[Glorfindel]

Freedom of choice and how much disposable $$$ cash to put into it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I only do Ts of arachnids. It’s all the above depending on the person. Some people design full blown setups even if that have 40+.

When you have large numbers like hundreds pragmatic makes more sense be it inverts or snakes etc

same here . But you kept snakes before right those need heated above 70.
Scorpions require additional hearing over tarantulas so they might need a space heater . Basic cages are best for large collections. More stuff for prey to hide the worse ….

 

[viper69]

same here . But you kept snakes before right those need heated above 70.
Scorpions require additional hearing over tarantulas so they might need a space heater . Basic cages are best for large collections. More stuff for prey to hide the worse ….

I've kept reptiles amphibians long before Ts. However there heating requirements have nothing to do with my answer.

True on prey hiding

 

[Brewser]

Do what's beneficial to the Occupant, and secondly what's aesthetically pleasing to You.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I've kept reptiles amphibians long before Ts. However there heating requirements have nothing to do with my answer.

True on prey hiding

yea
full blown setups as in bio active or just a hide water dish moss and all the fancy stuff scorpions like.

Hello All!
I'm curious how people view their scorpion pals' homes. I've seen the full gamut of approaches from making enclosures a beautiful realistic setting, to the bare minimalist approach in a shoe box. From my perspective, I really like the beautification of the habitat. Maybe it's not as equally appreciated by the scorpion, but I can either look at that in my office or a picture bought from Target - easy choice.

For those who do prefer a minimalist approach for the enclosure, is it because you own many scorpions? Or, a more pragmatic idea in the sense inverts don't necessarily need much to be content? Something else?

Your choice .

 

[The Snark]

Do what's beneficial to the Occupant, and secondly what's aesthetically pleasing to You.

Needs repeating.
Which brings to the front the question, are you keeping the animal for a display piece, a decoration, a topic of conversation, barefaced entertainment, or for the animals health and welfare?
In the case of the average AFS, your terrarium should consist of dirt covered in bioactive detritus. Your animal being strictly nocturnal and photophobic, should ordinarily only be viewable under limited special lighting at night and then, since they can virtually shut down their metabolism for extended periods of time, that may come out to hunt only a few times a year. Additionally, their hunting is seasonal. In the wild they are pet dirt and leaf mold piles from December until June. The only time they are out and ranging around is the end of July into late October which is mating season. (Observed, going by the number and frequency of road kills throughout the year.)

 

[jadake]

That's actually a really good point. I often end up making the mistake of "more is more". So, more nature, more environment for the scorpion, more access, more space, and so on. I haven't yet got a scorpion as I'm still researching as much as possible, but I probably need to take a step back and reassess what is it the scorp actually needs first and foremost as it may not necessarily mean beauty in the terrarium.

 

[MorbidArachnid]

I have pretty basic set ups, consisting of just substrate, a hide, and a water dish. For burrowers the substrate is deeper to allow for some digging but I don't include much beyond that.

I tend to hear in reptile circles a lot the mantra that "if you aren't willing to do the absolute most then you shouldn't have an animal", but I don't think this is the case. I do what is required for the health and wellbeing of the animal, everything else is either not provably beneficial or purely for aesthetic purposes.

For example, I do more than most people in providing a water dish, and keeping my temperatures consistently warm. A lot of people hold the belief that room temp is fine for most species and they get all their water from their food, but based on personal experience and what I've read from others I strongly believe in the benefits of having constant access to water and warmer temps. I don't do things other keepers do, such as day/night cycles, bioactive enclosures, or varied feeder offerings. I don't think any of these things are harmful but I haven't seen any solid evidence they're beneficial either, and I'm being pragmatic with my set ups.

It's difficult to talk about some of the other more subjective metrics also, such as enrichment. I don't think its a bad idea to take into account enrichment and stimulation into your care, but scorpions are largely sedentary burrowers, in the wild they have been known to stay in their burrows for months at a time, and even the ones that leave to hunt or mate spend a large amount of time in a burrow or scrape. It's hard to argue that they can feel boredom when they stay in a burrow for months on end. I also am a bit skeptical about the "enclosure is the hide" type set ups, but you can't deny that people have kept and bred them successfully in those types of set ups. I don't think just living and breeding makes up the entirety of animal welfare, but as far as provable objective facts I can't say which approach is better or if it makes a difference.

 

[jadake]

I have pretty basic set ups, consisting of just substrate, a hide, and a water dish. For burrowers the substrate is deeper to allow for some digging but I don't include much beyond that.

I tend to hear in reptile circles a lot the mantra that "if you aren't willing to do the absolute most then you shouldn't have an animal", but I don't think this is the case. I do what is required for the health and wellbeing of the animal, everything else is either not provably beneficial or purely for aesthetic purposes.

For example, I do more than most people in providing a water dish, and keeping my temperatures consistently warm. A lot of people hold the belief that room temp is fine for most species and they get all their water from their food, but based on personal experience and what I've read from others I strongly believe in the benefits of having constant access to water and warmer temps. I don't do things other keepers do, such as day/night cycles, bioactive enclosures, or varied feeder offerings. I don't think any of these things are harmful but I haven't seen any solid evidence they're beneficial either, and I'm being pragmatic with my set ups.

It's difficult to talk about some of the other more subjective metrics also, such as enrichment. I don't think its a bad idea to take into account enrichment and stimulation into your care, but scorpions are largely sedentary burrowers, in the wild they have been known to stay in their burrows for months at a time, and even the ones that leave to hunt or mate spend a large amount of time in a burrow or scrape. It's hard to argue that they can feel boredom when they stay in a burrow for months on end. I also am a bit skeptical about the "enclosure is the hide" type set ups, but you can't deny that people have kept and bred them successfully in those types of set ups. I don't think just living and breeding makes up the entirety of animal welfare, but as far as provable objective facts I can't say which approach is better or if it makes a difference.

See, that's what I'm trying to figure out while hunting for my first scorpions - how much is enough? Like I previously mentioned, I tend to continually amp up whatever I do beyond what's reasonable and then go overkill.

When I began researching, I was thinking I'd do the bare minimum. Then I thought, "Well hell, if it's a forest scorpion, I should do everything I can to replicate a tropical forest." Then I read they don't really need much to be content. So, I'll probably land somewhere in between to give them a temp and humidity controlled environment, a gradient for temp & humidity, plenty of substrate and hides, but not go all the way to bioactive and landscaped habitat.

 

[TheraMygale]

I like to keep things as simple as possible by providing was is needed for thriving.

Decor comes in last for me.

I only have tarantulas though.

Maybe id have one display enclosure, but i dont even see the point right now.

 

[jadake]

I like to keep things as simple as possible by providing was is needed for thriving.

Decor comes in last for me.

I only have tarantulas though.

Maybe id have one display enclosure, but i dont even see the point right now.

I have an extreme fear of spiders. Someday I may get a tarantula to overcome this irrational and illogical fear. It's kind of how I got over my fear of horses - by taking dressage lessons.

 

[TheraMygale]

I have an extreme fear of spiders. Someday I may get a tarantula to overcome this irrational and illogical fear. It's kind of how I got over my fear of horses - by taking dressage lessons.

some people get tarantulas for that reason. Although i dont think its the best of reasons, because tarantulas can have defensive phases even if they are usualy calm. And the most calm of tarantulas, kick urticating setae.

watch tons of videos by reputable keepers that put facts foward and not clickbaiting. Avoid channels aimed at entertainment.

and read all you can on this board. You never learn enough.

i do welcome you to join us tarantula keepers. But when you do, it is because you have become comfortable. Start with a jumping spider. They usualy turn over the worst arachnophobics.

 

[darkness975]

Hello All!
I'm curious how people view their scorpion pals' homes. I've seen the full gamut of approaches from making enclosures a beautiful realistic setting, to the bare minimalist approach in a shoe box. From my perspective, I really like the beautification of the habitat. Maybe it's not as equally appreciated by the scorpion, but I can either look at that in my office or a picture bought from Target - easy choice.

For those who do prefer a minimalist approach for the enclosure, is it because you own many scorpions? Or, a more pragmatic idea in the sense inverts don't necessarily need much to be content? Something else?

The simpler the better. For care and for ease.

 

[adam james]

My Heterometrus silenus setup is a 26L steralite snaptop clear tote. holes drilled for cross vent and bottom layer of hydrotron, screen, cocofiber (top layer of springtails ) one water dish and two hides. a couple fake fish tank plants. 74 - 80F and water sitting in the drainage layer (not enough to touch the screen or soil) which wicks and evaporates its way up through the coco-fiber over time which prevents me from having to add water for months. Crickets are the diet but would love to switch to roaches but I am in Canada. We do have native roaches here albeit hard to find in the wild, but i dont trust anything outside as feeders.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I have an extreme fear of spiders. Someday I may get a tarantula to overcome this irrational and illogical fear. It's kind of how I got over my fear of horses - by taking dressage lessons.

Trust me scorps that are hot are way more dangerous then any tarantulas. Only ow has strong venom. I got slings for once in first time since ages ago and they are tiny and harmless. I’d keep desert Pedes if parents weren’t involved . scorps are cool but I don’t have any.
They want me to quit buying anything with urticating hairs .