Boreal scorpion Drumheller

[Luke0408]

Saw something on TV today that mentioned drumheller had scorpions. I have lived in Alberta most of my life and I have never in all my trips to the bad lands seen or heard of them. The in-laws had a cabin in East Coulie.
I did a basic search on google and couldint find any good info. Has anyone ever kept them in a tank? Or does anyone have any more habitat info on them, and feeding habits. Or even where to look for them.

 

[brandontmyers]

Most likely Paruroctonus boreus.

 

[Arachnomaniac19]

They're P. boreus, although I'm pretty certain they live much more southwest than Drumheller. I've never kept them, but I've read that room temp is fine. If you find any, please let me know! I've always wanted to keep our native species. For habitat, they're terrestrial. Just mimic a desert.

 

[Luke0408]

This summer will be camping with the kids in Drumheller. Will see if we can find these.

 

[scorpanok]

paruroctonus boreus are a very rewarding scorpions to keep and great eaters thou they seem to prefer a more varied diet then most other scorpions.

 

[Tbone192]

I know this thread is very old but it piqued my interest and I wanted to share my information on P boreus.

I have lived in Alberta nearly my whole life and I often visit the badlands in the summer. I am going to Drumheller and surrounding area tomorrow to search for scorpions, and take samples. I only intend on trying to find a breeding pair, and I intend on releasing a portion of developed slings. This would happen in Dinosaur PP or Writing on Stone PP. I have never seen scorpions in Drumheller before but I heard some rumours and wanted to check it out.

I can confirm that they breed in Dinosaur PP but collecting specimens there is illegal. I have seen them on numerous occasions and the last time I spotted 3 scorpions between 9:30-11:30pm. Here are some phone pics, clarity of image leaves much to be desired.

 

[TheraMygalo]

I know this thread is very old but it piqued my interest and I wanted to share my information on P boreus.

I have lived in Alberta nearly my whole life and I often visit the badlands in the summer. I am going to Drumheller and surrounding area tomorrow to search for scorpions, and take samples. I only intend on trying to find a breeding pair, and I intend on releasing a portion of developed slings. This would happen in Dinosaur PP or Writing on Stone PP. I have never seen scorpions in Drumheller before but I heard some rumours and wanted to check it out.

I can confirm that they breed in Dinosaur PP but collecting specimens there is illegal. I have seen them on numerous occasions and the last time I spotted 3 scorpions between 9:30-11:30pm. Here are some phone pics, clarity of image leaves much to be desired.
View attachment 476978
View attachment 476977

This just blew me off my chair. And here I thought Canada was boring with it’s Moose and Loons. I am from Canada and did not know this. I am in Quebec, so of course, it is not a species in my area. Probably why i never thought to look into it. I focus on what is native in my province.

I always wanted to visit Alberta! The birds and wildlife there are so amazing.

Thanks for bringing this thread up. Now I know i need to get that pickup/van. Going to need to spend more then a few days to try and observe this scorpion.

You are pretty priviledged to have observed it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I know this thread is very old but it piqued my interest and I wanted to share my information on P boreus.

I have lived in Alberta nearly my whole life and I often visit the badlands in the summer. I am going to Drumheller and surrounding area tomorrow to search for scorpions, and take samples. I only intend on trying to find a breeding pair, and I intend on releasing a portion of developed slings. This would happen in Dinosaur PP or Writing on Stone PP. I have never seen scorpions in Drumheller before but I heard some rumours and wanted to check it out.

I can confirm that they breed in Dinosaur PP but collecting specimens there is illegal. I have seen them on numerous occasions and the last time I spotted 3 scorpions between 9:30-11:30pm. Here are some phone pics, clarity of image leaves much to be desired.
View attachment 476978
View attachment 476977

It’s colder than Ohio yet we don’t have any scorpion species here. Amazing !!!

 

[Tbone192]

This just blew me off my chair. And here I thought Canada was boring with it’s Moose and Loons. I am from Canada and did not know this. I am in Quebec, so of course, it is not a species in my area. Probably why i never thought to look into it. I focus on what is native in my province.

I always wanted to visit Alberta! The birds and wildlife there are so amazing.

Thanks for bringing this thread up. Now I know i need to get that pickup/van. Going to need to spend more then a few days to try and observe this scorpion.

You are pretty priviledged to have observed it.

Best places to find them in Canada are along the Milk river, Oldman river, and St. Mary's river, Medicine Hat and Writing on Stone are especially populous with P boreus. I was lucky to see them in Dinosaur PP, this is a special place with some crazy diverse ecological regions, but they are protected there so if you bring a UVA light and dedicate yourself, you will absolutely find one.

Once I start breeding I'll set up a thread and although I plan on releasing about half my brood back into the wild, I will keep some to give away.

 

[TheraMygalo]

Best places to find them in Canada are along the Milk river, Oldman river, and St. Mary's river, Medicine Hat and Writing on Stone are especially populous with P boreus. I was lucky to see them in Dinosaur PP, this is a special place with some crazy diverse ecological regions, but they are protected there so if you bring a UVA light and dedicate yourself, you will absolutely find one.

Once I start breeding I'll set up a thread and although I plan on releasing about half my brood back into the wild, I will keep some to give away.

Thank you for the information. If i plan a trip to Alberta, i need to map out key interest areas. I would have loved to see wild horses, but I think wild indigenous scorpions are more exciting. I can go to virginia and see wild horses there, and Nova Scotia. Horses are horses hahaha.

I release alot of wild caught specimens, on my property, that are native. I bred some native Mantis’s to try and get some to control my garden. They hatched, but after that, i know the numbers drop.

I am also running a plant biodiversity system. Mixing principles of permaculture and english garden together. A part of my land has bad excavation soil. And knowing how soil works, i will not invest thousands of dollars trying to change it. I am adapting it. Every plant becomes a trial.

If the plant is right, it will thrive. Many weeds that came with the bad soil are being selected. I now have tons of wild daisies, queen ann’s lace, st-john’s wort and asters taking place. I have one invasive species that has the run of the mill. Slowly, i am removing it. I like the less effort route, that brings in results. Then working so hard for nothing route.

We have one of the biggest firefly populations on the street. We even had a toad come by once. That is how i know my plan is working. I havent started feeding the birds yet the neighbors already look at my land with daggers in their eyes. I wont be doing the vegetable garden in the yard. It will be in the front hahaha. I will add bat shelters and see if i can get a few possums to visit.


I hope your scorpion work goes through and you get successfull broods. You can put me down for one if you do want to find a home for some one day

I would never harvest protected species on protected land. Only pictures. If everyone did that, then it would be pointless.