Escaped emperor scorpion

[Kailahrain]

So I recently got an emperor scorpion a little under a month ago and she has been on quite a few adventures that include escaping her tank with the help of another living being.. my cat somehow knocked the enclosure off the table it was on and it was missing when I found the giant pile of dirt on the floor. I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to find it? The area she could be in is huge. I e used a UV light, damp paper towels and a heat mat. So maybe she can climb..? I've never heard of this species climbing. She also is pretty big, maybe 5 inches. She also ate quite a bit before going missing I'm not sure if this is a tarantula situation where her insides splattered and my cat dragged it around the house or what. But when I find her I have some things to secure her enclosure down to prevent this from happening (this is why I prefer glass tanks to kritter keepers..). She's been out for 3 days now.

 

[wingzx87]

So, first off if you find her. 1. Im not going to bash you just advise you Heavier enclosure with a lid that latches, I keep all mine in heavy 10gallon tanks just for risk avoidance or keep the room locked/shut. 2. So expect the worst with the cat and it. Scorpion might have been destroyed or eaten or gotten away but expect the worst. UV light check under all objects, closets, walls ceilings in a room. Check under items, in items, behind dressers, bookshelves, check behind books. Anywhere that is dark, cramped and potentially warm is a good place to check. Scorpions can climb your walls mine climbed a white photography backdrop to the top so never underestimate the climb. But room by room every single crack and crevice or item check em with UV. That is your best option unless just happens to come out. Its going to take you a long time. Once a room is checked and cleared, put down a white blanket on the floor to block the room and move on to the next room.


Random thoughts. 1. Check the enclosure if there is still alot of substrate in there. its possible it went back there to get away. Also as a thought question cause some UV lights say UV but your light did make your scorpion glow bright correct? Cause i had a uv light that was a fake and my scorpions very faintly glowed almost to the point of nonexistant so more of a verification.

 

[xXTristinaXx]

Pics of the enclosure?

 

[Matt Man]

your cat may have killed it and dragged it off somewhere as well. Yes, use a good UV, they do glow, look in all your nooks and crannies

last piece of advice: If you cannot isolate your inverts from your cat you have 2 choices A) get rid of the cat B) get rid of the inverts
So if you have an invert room where cat is not allowed, you can have both, otherwise you need to choose. Sorry, that's just the sad truth

 

[paumotu]

What you've got is not an Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), but instead a cave claw scorpion, (Pandipalpus viatoris)

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

last piece of advice: If you cannot isolate your inverts from your cat you have 2 choices A) get rid of the cat B) get rid of the inverts
So if you have an invert room where cat is not allowed, you can have both, otherwise you need to choose. Sorry, that's just the sad truth

Hard disagree. Heavy un-tippable enclosures with secure latching mechanisms, cabinets, and other solutions exist. Many of us have both cats and inverts with no problems. Thought, planning, and cat-proofing are required, but you don't need an entire separate room to keep a few inverts safe from cats.

 

[wingzx87]

Hard disagree. Heavy un-tippable enclosures with secure latching mechanisms, cabinets, and other solutions exist. Many of us have both cats and inverts with no problems. Thought, planning, and cat-proofing are required, but you don't need an entire separate room to keep a few inverts safe from cats.

Agreed, I have huskies so I also have heavy, large locking enclosures for my invertes, with padlocks on their enclosures. It won't keep something extremely determined to get in but will keep em safe.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

The majority of my scorps are in plastic, lightweight enclosures, but in a spot up high where the cat can’t get to them. The rest are in heavy, secure glass enclosures that she can’t move.

 

[Matt Man]

Agreed, I have huskies so I also have heavy, large locking enclosures for my invertes, with padlocks on their enclosures. It won't keep something extremely determined to get in but will keep em safe.

I have a dog, she doesn't climb. My inverts are safe, and yes, still in a room she isn't allowed.

Hard disagree. Heavy un-tippable enclosures with secure latching mechanisms, cabinets, and other solutions exist. Many of us have both cats and inverts with no problems. Thought, planning, and cat-proofing are required, but you don't need an entire separate room to keep a few inverts safe from cats.

yes, there are other solutions, but you can't find heavy tip proof enclosures for smaller species / juveniles, etc....
If a cat can get into the room, at some point most will have a problem, but I get your point

 

[Wolfram1]

I heard an old horror story from a friend once.
Her two dogs dug up, killed 5 adult Pandinus imperator scorpions and even partially ate one of them. She had their enclosure on the floor since it was large and quite heavy and they obviously managed to pry the lid of the aquarium while she was gone. Definitely make sure they lock properly if you have other pets.

 

[that1ocelot]

I've got a mid sized pantry/cabinet for my inverts.

With 2 cats, I've got no problems. Heating is easy and there's still a good amount of room for care. I fit my feeders, clean up crew colonies and 5 animals in a pantry that takes up very little space. Part of care is ensuring their environment both in their enclosure and out is safe. If you live with others, substitute a bedside table for an invert cabinet. Extra bonus points if the animal is photophobic

 

[Matt Man]

So I recently got an emperor scorpion a little under a month ago and she has been on quite a few adventures that include escaping her tank with the help of another living being.. my cat somehow knocked the enclosure off the table it was on and it was missing when I found the giant pile of dirt on the floor. I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to find it? The area she could be in is huge. I e used a UV light, damp paper towels and a heat mat. So maybe she can climb..? I've never heard of this species climbing. She also is pretty big, maybe 5 inches. She also ate quite a bit before going missing I'm not sure if this is a tarantula situation where her insides splattered and my cat dragged it around the house or what. But when I find her I have some things to secure her enclosure down to prevent this from happening (this is why I prefer glass tanks to kritter keepers..). She's been out for 3 days now.

any news? Did you find it?

What you've got is not an Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), but instead a cave claw scorpion, (Pandipalpus viatoris)

so common right now