I think my P.cavimanus may be in pre-molt.

[jebbewocky]

I've been using the search feature, and I can't seem to get the info I want.
I have a P.cavimanus, sold at an LPS as "Red Claw" scorpion. They also have "Africian Emperor Scorpion," P.imperator, but I decided to get the cavimanus because I understand cavis are often sold as imps, and the cavi was cheaper.

Anyway, I keep it in the dark, in my closet, on top of my roach tank. The roach tank has a thermostat to keep it at 90 F constantly. I'm sure the scorpion is mid-eighties, since the heat rope is on the bottom of the roach tank. For humidity, I don't have a good sized water dish, so I just periodically soak the substrate, and mist the moss I have in there. Currently I have it in a medium sized KK. Substrate is coconut coir, and I have the KK filled up almost to the top so my scorpion has lots of burrowing room. I don't have any hides, because it burrows.

Anyway, it doesn't eat! It looks fat, stuffed to the gills really. I think it might be pre-molt.

I can post setup pics later if needed.

 

[Nomadinexile]

Hey you didn't ask a question!

I'm assuming though, that you want to know if it's in pre-molt because it's not eating.

Well, that's hard to say. Could just be full and not hungry. They can go a long while without eating, even if they aren't preparing to molt.

So I think the answer is maybe.

If it's stuffed to the gills and is a bit sluggish, or hiding a lot, just leave it alone and don't feed it. It will either molt or thin out and start coming out more at night to look for food.

 

[jebbewocky]

Yes, I wanted to know if my scorpion is in pre-molt. Sounds like it might be, I'll post pics if I remember, and if he/she cooperates...

For now, I'll assume it is pre-molt until it thins out a bit.

EDIT: Also, I'm a little concerned his telson is too small proportional to his/her body size.

2nd EDIT: Is my setup OK?

 

[Nomadinexile]

Well, you can't do anything about the proportionality of the telson.

Your set up sounds great. However, considering the constant temps without seasonal temp and humidity variation, there are no clues as to the season or time of day.

I would consider putting in a very small light, even just a one watt led , on a timer (or you turn on and off). This way it has some clue as to day/night, and even season. For seasonal clues, you can adjust the length of the day/night schedule. 18on/6off in summer, 12/12 in winter should work fine. You could of course have a 14/10 in spring and fall, but it is probably not needed.

Otherwise, it sounds great!

 

[jebbewocky]

Well, you can't do anything about the proportionality of the telson.

Your set up sounds great. However, considering the constant temps without seasonal temp and humidity variation, there are no clues as to the season or time of day.

I would consider putting in a very small light, even just a one watt led , on a timer (or you turn on and off). This way it has some clue as to day/night, and even season. For seasonal clues, you can adjust the length of the day/night schedule. 18on/6off in summer, 12/12 in winter should work fine. You could of course have a 14/10 in spring and fall, but it is probably not needed.

Otherwise, it sounds great!

Well, I'm just worried with a small telson that that might indicate poor health. I got this at a local LPS, which is usually really good so I'm not *too* worried about that.

I'll consider the lighting idea.

 

[jebbewocky]

It WAS pre-molt. Saw him wrestling his way out of his old self while I was doing my bug check this morning.