Fat-tail scorpion

[Gav0r]

I wonder if scorpions instinctual levels of aggression, which seems to vary between species, is dictated by gene mutations which occur as a direct result of their individual, as a species, exposure to contrasting environments with differeing food supplies?

Gavin.

 

[cricket54]

I'm also wondering if this scorpion seemed so docile because the house area it was is in is at 75 degrees and now that I have a 40 watt heat lamp on top of her tank, she will be more active. I am guessing its a girl because of the pectine count and calling her "Sheila". She is under her hide of cork bark, has eaten 4 crickets, drank some water, and I'm leaving her alone for now. My thinking is she is due to molt. I haven't read anywhere that a scorpion could go for a yr and a half and not give birth during that time. She was only kept at room temperature around the same here, but the repitle room was quite humid. I think she didn't eat very much for them because of the humidity maybe? This house is definitely not as quiet as I would want scorpions to be in, but the family room here is quieter here then the rest of the house if my son-in-law plays his acoustic drums (they're in the basement, but not under the familyroom). She is on a high shelf out of reach with velcro straps around the tank. I know these scorpions hide during the day anyway and come out mostly at night. So do the rest of mine. The H. arizonis and the "Olive keeled" one I have are the only ones we often see out during the day.

Sharon

 

[cricket54]

A. australis possibly gravid?

I'm posting again on this thread for some new advice. I haven't found a heat pad (was wondering if a reg. human heating pad is a good idea for scorps?), but I have used a 40 watt ceramic heat lamp during the day and turn it off at night. Since I've posted the pictures, and the last time I lifted her hide, I can now see what looks like embryos through her side which were not there yet when I bought her. Temperatures have gotten warmer during the day here in NJ sometimes, and the house has gotten over 80 degrees. I still turn the heat lamp off at night though. Any idea of how long it takes for these scorps to give birth once you can see the babies through their sides? I don't want to disturb her to take pictures because I think she is getting close. She doesn't seem to get upset about us lifting the hide to look in on her. She stays in place. I've still been feeding her, but she doesn't seem to be eating as much. The last cricket she killed, but did not consume it. Do I need to keep the heat lamp on at night once she has the babies on her back? I know you aren't supposed to disturb them once they've given birth, so I assume I should only look in on her without lifting her hide and watch for babies to show up walking around. What I mean is look at the aquarium, but not open the lid or take it down off the shelf where she is? Raising baby scorplings is a
new experience for Laura and I. I know there are some folks on here who have raised A. australis babies successfully, so any advice is appreciated. Don't want to make any common mistakes, and I assume most Mom's eat some or all of their scorplings pretty often.

Sharon