Holding Scorpions?

[LordofScorpions]

She won't let me touch, I just want to hold her, I know its not like a cat or dog or something you actually play with.

Its just I was wondering is it possible to condition your scorpion to being held, you know hold it every other day until it gets use to you.

But mine won't let me anywhere near, she will rear up and open her claw (one is broken) when ever I try to remove the water dish or drop food in.

 

[Cyris69]

No you can't condition them. If you hold it often your going to stress the <edit> out of it.

I handled my species sparingly. Not often just to hold them, but when I need to. I use to bug the crap out of my adult emps and their attitude never changed plus I started using these boards and learned my philosophy "A stressed scorpion is an unhealthy scorpion."

Then again, others will argue this.

 

[Brettus]

First of all, what species is it? You do not want to be holding a dangerous species at all.

Second, if she makes it clear that she doesn't want to be held, there is nothing much you can do about it. How are you going about holding it? In my experience, with my three scorps each does not react well to being touched at all. The moment they are, the pincers are automatically raised, a clear "leave-me-alone" message. How I hold them is quite simple-just make sure you don't touch them. Get a cup, and usher your scorpion inside it. Once inside, tip it slowly onto your hand, so it is touching you rather than the other way round. Once it is walking on your hand, it shouldn't bite or sting for no reason, so long as you make sure not to touch it and let it walk unhindered. If it decides to move quickly or something, however, you have to be sure you won't brush it off instinctively. If you're afraid it is best not handle it. Once they are on your hand my three scorps (Urodacus elongatus & Liocheles waigiensis) are all docile.

As to whether or not they can be trained to become conditioned to handling, I don't think so. Moreover, handling every day could be stressful for the scorp. I only handle mine once every while.

Like you said, they are not cats or dogs, and they won't come to recognise you. They will always react instinctively, so don't blame me if you get stung lol. Just my opinion on how best to handle them

 

[Cyris69]

I use the tail technique to pick up all my scorps. Or the whole use an object to have them move into a deli or my hand when I can't get their tail. The tail way is risky and not as easy I just prefer it.

 

[Brettus]

I use the tail technique to pick up all my scorps. Or the whole use an object to have them move into a deli or my hand when I can't get their tail. The tail way is risky and not as easy I just prefer it.

I have never used the tail method-can't they bend back on themselves and use their pincer of your fingers? Furthermore, is the scorp agitated when you place it on your hand?

 

[Brettus]

Just a note LordofScorpions, if you do intend to hold your scorp, the cup method is by far the safest. The tail method referred to by Cyris69 could easily lead to you being stung if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[Cyris69]

My adult female emp did get one good pinch on me arching herself back to get me. That has been it. Now the martensii will flail around and pinch so its easier to coax them onto your hand.

My jacksoni, martensii, emps all just chill and check out my hand and arm.
Not its not good idea to do this with jacksoni or martensii but I'm crazy and its cool.
My male and female emp actually attempted to mate on my arm didn't get the during photos, was freaking out.

 

[InfestedGoat]

Word of advice, first make sure your scorpion is a species thats harmless enough to pick up. I rarely handle my emps, only do it when it is really necessary. Second, ALWAYS if you need to pick it up by the tail, or nudge it into your hand, make sure that your come in from the side of the scorpion, if you come from the front it will take at as a threat and attack. Good luck.

 

[LordofScorpions]

Its an emp

 

[Brettus]

Second, ALWAYS if you need to pick it up by the tail, or nudge it into your hand, make sure that your come in from the side of the scorpion, if you come from the front it will take at as a threat and attack.

I can't say this is always true IME-perhaps it varies from species to species. My scorps, particularly my Liocheles waigiensis, if approached from the side, will sometimes make a run for it, but will just as often turn to face the threat with their pincers raised.

 

[Thaedion]

...Its just I was wondering is it possible to condition your scorpion to being held, you know hold it every other day until it gets use to you...

As has been said they do not get used to you if you hold them alot, just stressed. (from too much handling)

Even though she seems aggressive when approached by your hand, usually once they are on your hand they'll just wander around.

here is a video I made on 3 ways how I pick up my emps.

[YOUTUBE]kZ08HlT3Gaw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Cyris69]

Yeah, I don't advise the tail method for beginners. If its a dangerous species just don't touch it. I just find it to be the easiest for me when it comes to something other than an emp.

As in Thaedion's vid, it takes a LOT for an emp to actually strike at you. Mine have tried to sting me a few time flailing and striking but that was very rare. Now remember there is always that one that will attack you, all are able to given enough prodding or just out of the blue. Now semi-aggressive species you just shouldn't mess with using your hands or with venomous one.

 

[InfestedGoat]

As in Thaedion's vid, it takes a LOT for an emp to actually strike at you. Mine have tried to sting me a few time flailing and striking but that was very rare.

One of my emps is very aggressive after you coax her out of her hide. Get near it and they always pinch and sting (which is very unlike emps), but hey each one is different, I just happened to have one very dosile emp, and the other is very edgy. For edgy ones, use the cup, but i recommend not even handling the edgy ones, for it probably stresses them out the most.

 

[Ted]

you should never do this..

 

[gambite]

The few times I tried to handle my emp, I made sure that he was not agitated. I scooped him out of his tank, and put him on my desk, where a circular area had been blocked off to contain him. After about 5-10 minutes calming down, he would explore the desk, following the wall. I eventually made a hole in the wall, and put my hand in it. He followed it and climbed onto my hand. From there, I let him walk around my hands and arms for a while.

Get to know your scorp, and be sure you can tell when it does not want to be messed with. If it is upset, leave it be. If it is fine, then you should have no problem letting it crawl on you, as long as it doesnt mind it.

 

[Cyris69]

@Ted
Eh, I'd do it. I'd handle almost anything including LQ or A.A which is plain
retarded. Then again, I'm crazy and I love risk taking.

Great photo BTW, would have nice with a flash though.

 

[Ted]

@Ted
Eh, I'd do it. I'd handle almost anything including LQ or A.A which is plain
retarded. Then again, I'm crazy and I love risk taking.

Great photo BTW, would have nice with a flash though.

lol..thanks!
i tried a flash, but it completely turned my face blinding white.

 

[Johnny Savage]

@Ted

That's definitely the coolest shit I've seen in my life.
Haha.
Sweet pic man!

 

[InfestedGoat]

I don't know if it was because of that pic, but i had a dream my father ate one of my emps... I was very angry when I woke up. ha

 

[Ted]

lol..
thanks