My Asian Forest Scorpion keeps climbing upside down on the lid of my tank

[8ball947]

My Asian Forest Scorpion (her name is Sting) has started climbing/crawling upside down on the lid of my tank. But I know she's not stuck. Cause she goes up and down on her own. I was just about to go back in the room. And take a picture of her on the lid upside down. But when I went back in the room to take the picture. She climbed down. And went back into her homemade underground borrow that I have made for her. I don't know how my scorpion is getting on the lid. Cause I never actually see her climb up there. When I notice it she's already on the lid. So I don't really know how my scorpion is getting upside down on the lid or why she's doing it. Is this normal? If not how do I stop her from crawling on the lid of the tank upside down. I don't want her to fall and get injured or push the pin out that's keeping the lid closed. What should I do? How do I find out how she's getting on the lid upside down? Is this normal? Is it dangerous for her to be up there on the lid upside down? I need some advice. I don't know what to do. I'm a new scorpion owner. This is only my second scorpion I've ever had. My first one died.

 

[kingshockey]

post a picture of your tank its the only way members here can really give you good advice good luck

 

[8ball947]

Here's the first picture of my scorpion tank.

 

[8ball947]

Here's three more pictures of my scorpion tank.

 

[ChaniLB520]

My guess is that you've got some decorations fairly close to the lid, especially that log hut. They aren't the best climbers, but if the distance is short enough, some of them can make it. She might even be able to stretch the small distance to get a grip on the screen lid.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Replace the wire mesh screen with acrylic with holes drilled in it.

Heterometrus can easily climb the corners of this type of tank *much* higher than the distance here. The tank setup otherwise looks decent, and at least the drop height is minimal, but if it gets stuck in that mesh you’ll have a heck of a time getting it down.

 

[8ball947]

Replace the wire mesh screen with acrylic with holes drilled in it.

Heterometrus can easily climb the corners of this type of tank *much* higher than the distance here. The tank setup otherwise looks decent, and at least the drop height is minimal, but if it gets stuck in that mesh you’ll have a heck of a time getting it down.

I don't really have any extra money to buy an acrylic lid. I'm on a fixed income and I'm barely able to afford my rent and other bills.. And I don't think I have anything to cover it on the inside of the tank or how I would do it.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

I don't really have any extra money to buy an acrylic lid. I'm on a fixed income and I'm barely able to afford my rent and other bills.. And I don't think I have anything to cover it on the inside of the tank or how I would do it.

I have used thin stiff plastic packaging for this before - just glued it to the underside of the wire mesh for about 3” from each edge and left a gap in the middle. That way there’s not enough exposed wire mesh for them to grab onto but the centre is clear for ventilation. Is it possible for you to scrounge something like that? Even something like plastic sheet protectors or flimsy plastic binder covers would work. Just needs to be thicker/stiffer than cling wrap so their claws don’t tear right through it.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I got so confused for a second cause he posted in the other thread and I thought he had two threads on the same topic.

Link to my suggestion in the other thread

 

[8ball947]

I got so confused for a second cause he posted in the other thread and I thought he had two threads on the same topic.

Link to my suggestion in the other thread

No, I just posted over there first to let that person know that I was dealing with the same thing. And he wasn't alone. Then I got the idea to make my own post.

 

[ChaniLB520]

I have used thin stiff plastic packaging for this before - just glued it to the underside of the wire mesh for about 3” from each edge and left a gap in the middle. That way there’s not enough exposed wire mesh for them to grab onto but the centre is clear for ventilation. Is it possible for you to scrounge something like that? Even something like plastic sheet protectors or flimsy plastic binder covers would work. Just needs to be thicker/stiffer than cling wrap so their claws don’t tear right through it.

Love this idea!

 

[Sir Aculeus]

Asian Forest and Emps love to do this. They also like to climb things in general ( up to a certain point ). A taller enclosure with cork bark on one side for them to climb on and hang out would be great. Make sure it has good ventilation and let things dry once a week to avoid mold and mites.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

Asian Forest and Emps love to do this. They also like to climb things in general ( up to a certain point ). A taller enclosure with cork bark on one side for them to climb on and hang out would be great. Make sure it has good ventilation and let things dry once a week to avoid mold and mites.

Not sure how tall you mean, but these are fossorial to terrestrial scorpions with a stocky build. Falling from a great enough hight can pose serious risk for them, so this is not great advice if you ask me.

 

[Sir Aculeus]

Not sure how tall you mean, but these are fossorial to terrestrial scorpions with a stocky build. Falling from a great enough hight can pose serious risk for them, so this is not great advice if you ask me.

Been keeping and breeding various scorpions for almost 30 years

Perhaps my wording was not accurate enough. They simply like to climb stuff and "hang out" sometimes (I'm not saying they are arboreal ). I use to keep and breed them in an enclosure that was 18-20 inches tall. This left enough room for burrowing and climbing onto cork bark which would satisfy their need to sometimes want to climb and hang out on something as well as not making it easy for one to sneak out while feeding or cleaning or.... use the mesh as a hang out spot.

Even with a taller enclosure, a 10-12 inch fall will do nothing to hurt them but that shallow enclosure does make it easy for one to get out when you are cleaning or feeding. That fall is by no means a serious risk

OP you can also buy clear plastic sheets on Amazon and cut them to fit on top rather than mesh. Drill some holes for ventilation and you are good to go.

 

[8ball947]

Asian Forest and Emps love to do this. They also like to climb things in general ( up to a certain point ). A taller enclosure with cork bark on one side for them to climb on and hang out would be great. Make sure it has good ventilation and let things dry once a week to avoid mold and mites.

My first Asian Forest Scorpion never claimed upside down on the lid before she died. The scorpion I have now is the only one that's done it. And this is only my second Asian Forest Scorpion I've ever had.

 

[Sir Aculeus]

My first Asian Forest Scorpion never claimed upside down on the lid before she died. The scorpion I have now is the only one that's done it. And this is only my second Asian Forest Scorpion I've ever had.

I've had tons of them. Many of them like to climb stuff as they rove around and can sometimes hang out sideways and upside down on the mesh top. And again to be clear, I am not saying they are climbers but the dozens I have owned, bred and raised enjoy climbing sometimes. Cheers and good luck....a thick clear plastic top with holes will make sure they cannot climb and hang upside down.