Screamingreenmachine
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2016
- Messages
- 65
So it's been just about one year since I started looking into the hobby of keeping inverts and I'm absolutely in love. I started with wanting scorpions and then went to tarantulas, and now 9 tarantulas later I'm looking at possibly setting up a scorpion colony as my last enclosure and to change things up a bit (I like diversity) until I'm in my own place. I'm still kind of stuck between scorpions or an M. Balfouri communal but scorpions would just be a really cool change of pace. The stinger and claws are too awesome to not want! Plus the cost... A fair amount less than M. Balfouri to start out with a decent number of individuals.
My main reason for wanting a communal set up is because there will always be some sort of activity in the enclosure. Depending on the species, I'd like somewhere between 5 to 10 to begin with and to maintain a colony of around 25 if that is possible in a smaller enclosure size. I'm really looking for ease of keeping (i have been spoiled by my tarantulas when it comes to easy keeping) and species that enjoy a drier environment. Also a species that the babies are easily able to be sold/given to other invert lovers as I only have so much room. Plus giving back to the people of this awesome community that have helped me out so much would be a great thing!
I would also like the enclosure to be no larger than 5 gallons. I understand if that really limits my choices as well as my desired number of little monsters. I'll make my own or will use a large acrylic display case to make sure I can prevent any possible escapes.
I have a few species in mind as possibilities:
C. Gracilis (Beautiful... Absolutely beautiful)
C. Sculpturatus (not so sure because of the serious punch they pack. I personally am not worried about being tagged myself, but I worry about friends and family getting tagged if one should ever manage to escape or if some should sneak into my room and mess with them.)
C. Vittatus (I really like these due to the small size and how cheap I can get them for)
Babycurus Jacksoni (I've read these aren't the best for communal setups but good lord, they are gorgeous)
And really any other options I'm directed towards. Those 3 are the 3 I have looked at off and on over the past year.
I've got a decent idea on how to lay out the enclosure and depending on the species I end up with, I'll be certain to do my research (it's definitely half the fun to me!).
So what I'm wondering is
1) How to prevent cannibalism, since I've read that communal scorpions aren't really communal and seem to only tolerate their neighbors. I've read lots of areas to hide/climb and regular feedings. Would that be enough?
2) When a female is about ready to pop, should I move her from the main enclosure and into a smaller one? How long after birth until the little ones can be introduced to the colony and can they be raised together until the transfer or should I separate them as well?
3) If you think of any other really cool communally accepting scorpions that might fit me, please throw the names my way!
My main reason for wanting a communal set up is because there will always be some sort of activity in the enclosure. Depending on the species, I'd like somewhere between 5 to 10 to begin with and to maintain a colony of around 25 if that is possible in a smaller enclosure size. I'm really looking for ease of keeping (i have been spoiled by my tarantulas when it comes to easy keeping) and species that enjoy a drier environment. Also a species that the babies are easily able to be sold/given to other invert lovers as I only have so much room. Plus giving back to the people of this awesome community that have helped me out so much would be a great thing!
I would also like the enclosure to be no larger than 5 gallons. I understand if that really limits my choices as well as my desired number of little monsters. I'll make my own or will use a large acrylic display case to make sure I can prevent any possible escapes.
I have a few species in mind as possibilities:
C. Gracilis (Beautiful... Absolutely beautiful)
C. Sculpturatus (not so sure because of the serious punch they pack. I personally am not worried about being tagged myself, but I worry about friends and family getting tagged if one should ever manage to escape or if some should sneak into my room and mess with them.)
C. Vittatus (I really like these due to the small size and how cheap I can get them for)
Babycurus Jacksoni (I've read these aren't the best for communal setups but good lord, they are gorgeous)
And really any other options I'm directed towards. Those 3 are the 3 I have looked at off and on over the past year.
I've got a decent idea on how to lay out the enclosure and depending on the species I end up with, I'll be certain to do my research (it's definitely half the fun to me!).
So what I'm wondering is
1) How to prevent cannibalism, since I've read that communal scorpions aren't really communal and seem to only tolerate their neighbors. I've read lots of areas to hide/climb and regular feedings. Would that be enough?
2) When a female is about ready to pop, should I move her from the main enclosure and into a smaller one? How long after birth until the little ones can be introduced to the colony and can they be raised together until the transfer or should I separate them as well?
3) If you think of any other really cool communally accepting scorpions that might fit me, please throw the names my way!