Is this pigmentation normal? Should I be concerned?

[Rico69]

I recently brought in an Asian forest scorpion. I’ve noticed some brownish spots throughout the scorpions body. I honestly can’t remember if they were there when I got him or if they have developed since. I’m hoping someone might be able to let me know what these irregularities in the pigment could be. If it helps at all I have some photographs, the irregularities can clearly be seen in the photograph with the uv light on, the spots on his arms and tail clearly are not reacting to the light, in the normal lighting they present a brownish color. Thanks all!

 

[adam james]

hmm... I may be wrong, but is that dried up substrate (ie dirt) on his exo? It is possibly blocking or filtering some of the light which causes the odd uv photo? Mine gets dirt there a lot... especially when bulldozing substrate for a burrow

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

I recently brought in an Asian forest scorpion. I’ve noticed some brownish spots throughout the scorpions body. I honestly can’t remember if they were there when I got him or if they have developed since. I’m hoping someone might be able to let me know what these irregularities in the pigment could be. If it helps at all I have some photographs, the irregularities can clearly be seen in the photograph with the uv light on, the spots on his arms and tail clearly are not reacting to the light, in the normal lighting they present a brownish color. Thanks all!

It's just dirty probably from burrowing that is dried substrate.

 

[Veno Manus]

Just dirt.

 

[Rico69]

hmm... I may be wrong, but is that dried up substrate (ie dirt) on his exo? It is possibly blocking or filtering some of the light which causes the odd uv photo? Mine gets dirt there a lot... especially when bulldozing substrate for a burrow

It's just dirty probably from burrowing that is dried substrate.

I appreciate the reply fellas! Now I’m not sure if this is the case, even when I directly mist the scorpion the color does not go away, and the spots are not the same color as the substrate when it is wet or dry, the color greatly differs. I’ve attached a video this time, I apologize for the audio quality. I just want to make sure this isn’t something to be concerned about. Thanks all!

 

[Rico69]

Ok well I guess it didn’t post the video, regardless, I’m confident when I say it is not dried substrate, anyone know what else it could be?

 

[adam james]

I appreciate the reply fellas! Now I’m not sure if this is the case, even when I directly mist the scorpion the color does not go away, and the spots are not the same color as the substrate when it is wet or dry, the color greatly differs. I’ve attached a video this time, I apologize for the audio quality. I just want to make sure this isn’t something to be concerned about. Thanks all!

if the dirt is dried on there its likely pretty hard to remove with only mist. you may need to give a q-tip a try. I use coco fiber as a substrate, and it looks very much like the example you posted when wet vs dry.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Does one really need to sponge bathe their scorpion though? Mine also gets flecks of dirt stuck to the exoskeleton from digging... I can just leave it alone can't I?

I ask because I don't want to bathe my scorpion every week. Knowing mine, it would take the Qtip and try to eat it.

 

[adam james]

Does one really need to sponge bathe their scorpion though? Mine also gets flecks of dirt stuck to the exoskeleton from digging... I can just leave it alone can't I?

I ask because I don't want to bathe my scorpion every week. Knowing mine, it would take the Qtip and try to eat it.

LOL, to be honest i really do not know. I do not bath my scorpion at all. if he gets dirty he must be good at getting most of it off. he usually only has a bit here and there.
I was just suggesting a means to remove it, or to prove if it is dirt or not.

 

[Veno Manus]

I just let my scorpions live. My Centruroides Sculpturatus bathes himself all the time so if they feel the need I just let them do their thing. They don't have a human cleaning them in the wild so I don't bother.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

Looks like dirt. You recently bought it, so if the color is different from your substrate, that's probably because it was already there.

And there is very little point in washing a scorpion. I honestly don't know why anyone would feel the need to do that haha.