Helpppp!!is my scorpion dead or alive!!!

[Corbatters]

I’m not sure if he’s dead or molting?,he was fine the day before yesterday and he has not moved a single inch I’m really worried as he always ate fine and drank fine, never had a problem but he has never molted in my possession before and is only young,I don’t know what to do and he doesn’t smell I’m assuming of it was dead he would have began to rot my now hosntly so worried and if he does pass it will be my first pet I’ve had die and I used to own about 10 snakes being only the age of 13 I was in live w animals and my favourite was my retic ella all this then changed to wanting a pet scorpion which I looked after The best I could, now this has happened I’m very worried please helppp urgently!

 

[Poonjab]

Touch him. Also.. what’s up with that substrate? Is that bark chips?

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

Looking at the posture of the legs, the end may be near.
Just gently touch the hairs on the tail or chela and see if there is a reaction.
I see you sprayed the scorpion but the rest of the enclosure looks very dry, could that be the cause of the problem ?
This ain't the best substrate, it requires moist soil/coco fiber and a bit of moss.

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

You sprayed water directly on the scorpion and it didn't move at all ?
Normally the scorpion would be startled if you do that, it would show a defensive posture, claws wide open ready to pounce.
I'm afraid he's already looking at the bright light at the end of the tunnel.....

 

[Poonjab]

I’m in agreement with @Lubed Tweezer also.. post a pic of entire enclosure. Seeing everything would give better idea as to what potentially lead to the state it’s in.

 

[Corbatters]

I’ve kept him like this for over a year in this enclosure and I bought him like that from a exotic pet store and the owner knows what he’s doing and has never had any trouble and neither have i until now I always pray it down and the spangum moss is to keep the enclosure moist

 

[Corbatters]

So is he dead or about to molt as there is no smell but when I touch his hairs he doesn’t move

 

[Corbatters]

 

[fried rice]

He doesn’t look too good.

I’ve kept him like this for over a year in this enclosure and I bought him like that from a exotic pet store and the owner knows what he’s doing and has never had any trouble and neither have i until now I always pray it down and the spangum moss is to keep the enclosure moist

The pet store guy doesnt know what he is doing if he used bark chips as substrate.

 

[Corbatters]

So what your saying is that he’s dead because the owner gave me incorrect information barring In mind this is an Asian forest scorpion?

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

when I touch his hairs he doesn’t move

It's dead Jim.
It could just be old age, lifespan in captivity is about 7-8 years.
The wood chips look nice but they aren't good substrate for this scorpion.
Your Heterometrus scorpion is a burrowing species, it requires at least 4 inches of substrate.
In nature these live on asian tropical forests floors, that's soil and dead leafs, not wood chips. Wood chips are for decorating your garden.
When you get your next one, make sure the temperature is 26-30°C during daytime and keep a relative humidity of about 60-90%.

 

[Corbatters]

What do I do from here give him a few days to see if he’s molting or preserve him I. Alchahol?

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

So what your saying is that he’s dead because the owner gave me incorrect information barring In mind this is an Asian forest scorpion?

That can be part of the problem, this Heterometrus petersii really needs to be able to burrow.
I've seen unknowing/wrongly informed people keep these guys on desert sand, they usually don't get old in those situations.
Keeping these scorpions too cold or too dry for extended period of time will kill them, I've made that mistake myself in the past.
He won't molt, he's dead. If you want to preserve him you can store him in isopropyl alcohol, but that will turn yellow in a few months (sooner if you let the sunlight get to it).
These days i preserve some of them in sanitizer hand gel (desinfection) and suck out the air bubbles with a pipette, that stuff doesn't turn yellow.

 

[Corbatters]

Damn I’m so upset but he’s a hetrometrus spiniffer does this change anything to do with the substrate?and I live in Aylesbury and don’t know the best way to get another one any recommendations?

 

[Corbatters]

I feel so responsible but I bought him in the enclosure I sprayed it often and he fed well I just don’t know what to do?

 

[fried rice]

Damn I’m so upset but he’s a hetrometrus spiniffer does this change anything to do with the substrate?

Heterometrus spiniffer and petersii are in the same genus so they will act and look similar. All the species in this genus burrow.

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

I'm sorry for your loss.
This is not a H spinifer, it's a H petersii.
Before you buy another one, first get the proper substrate, a thermometer and a hygrometer (don't have to be expensive ones.)
I don't live in England, but I believe you guys have multiple webshops, otherwise wait until BTS.
Make sure you buy from within your own country because international shipping seems to be a mess due to the Covid carnaval.
H petersii's usually aren't hard to get by, you'll find one soon.

 

[Corbatters]

Thank you and any suggestions for better substrate?

 

[Lubed Tweezer]

Most people use a mix of potting soil and coco fibre and a good amount of peat moss.
You can use the general guide for Pandinus imperator which applies to Heterometrus species as well;

Basic emperor scorpion (P. imperator) care.

Due to popular demand, here is a basic emperor scorpion care information, as endorsed by several of the Arachnopets members. This is not the only way to keep them -- there are hundreds of variations. This is, however, pretty much the answer you will get if you ask emperor scorpion questions...

arachnoboards.com

I would recommend to get your heating automated using a thermostat+timer, that way you don't fry it or forget to turn it ON or OFF.

 

[Corbatters]

Shall I get it a heating mat then?