Older vinegaroon decline

[Vinegaroonlover]

I rescued this vinegaroon about 2 years ago. She came from home where the person who had her, neglected her terribly. This person did not give her water or food for months. He kept her in a tiny little plastic container about 6 in by 6 in. Her tail broke off when she fell off of some plastic trees he put into the container. Sometimes I would go over and water her and bring her food. Then one day he just gave her to me. I moved her into a 40 gallon with lots of substrate to dig and play in. Lots of cork Park hide and other tunnels she can play. She was thriving. She was 9 years old, which now makes her 11. She used to be very active, she loved to dig and make tunnels, she had a very good appetite. About the past year or so, she slowly been declining, not as active, it was becoming harder for her to get a hold of her prey. It got to the point that the only thing she would eat, were almost pre-killed crickets. Even that she would miss and fumble for the prey. The past month I've tried to give her food but she does not want any. She's not as plump anymore, and she just sleeps and sleeps. I am at a loss and my heart is breaking, because she was such a special vinegaroon being a rescue and all. Is there anything I could do? Is she going to die? She still drinks once in a while, and it looks like she falls asleep in the water dish which I keep very shallow because I don't want her to drown in it. Any advice. I have two other vinegaroons who are happy, jumpy and very healthy with balloon shaped abdomens.

 

[William Dawson]

Wow, 11 years is pretty old for a vinegaroon. I'd guess that the years are catching up with her, so I wouldn't be to surprised if she passes on soon. It's cool that you got to let her live a good life in the last span of her life. Good luck :[

 

[darkness975]

I rescued this vinegaroon about 2 years ago. She came from home where the person who had her, neglected her terribly. This person did not give her water or food for months. He kept her in a tiny little plastic container about 6 in by 6 in. Her tail broke off when she fell off of some plastic trees he put into the container. Sometimes I would go over and water her and bring her food. Then one day he just gave her to me. I moved her into a 40 gallon with lots of substrate to dig and play in. Lots of cork Park hide and other tunnels she can play. She was thriving. She was 9 years old, which now makes her 11. She used to be very active, she loved to dig and make tunnels, she had a very good appetite. About the past year or so, she slowly been declining, not as active, it was becoming harder for her to get a hold of her prey. It got to the point that the only thing she would eat, were almost pre-killed crickets. Even that she would miss and fumble for the prey. The past month I've tried to give her food but she does not want any. She's not as plump anymore, and she just sleeps and sleeps. I am at a loss and my heart is breaking, because she was such a special vinegaroon being a rescue and all. Is there anything I could do? Is she going to die? She still drinks once in a while, and it looks like she falls asleep in the water dish which I keep very shallow because I don't want her to drown in it. Any advice. I have two other vinegaroons who are happy, jumpy and very healthy with balloon shaped abdomens.

That's sad but at least you gave it some years of a good life.

One of my scorpions is in the same boat. I don't know her exact age but she was a WC adult when I got her almost a decade ago. She barely moves any more bit she's still going. She will spend sometimes days in the exact same position. It almost appears to be like an achy human when she moves and eats if you know what I mean.

 

[darkness975]

Longevity

I am comparing the movements of one of my newest scorpions to another of the same species that I've had for several years. The older of the two was purchased in 2015 and is a WC adult. She's still going, but clearly much slower than when she was "younger." The new one (have not had a chance...

arachnoboards.com

Is there any way to tell if a scorpion is elderly or not?

I have an H. arizonensis, Carbide, who is most likely wild-caught. I didn’t think to ask, and almost all adults of his species are wild-caught because they’re hard to raise in captivity. He’s already an adult. I’m wondering if there’s any way to figure out if he’s an old man or not. At first I...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Smotzer]

Unfortunately there is nothing more you can do for it but continue to attempt to feed it and care for it the way you are now. It sounds like you kept your Mastigoproctus sp. with the utmost care and that is really nice to read and see, thank you for that! Sorry for your loss ahead of time but you should feel good knowing that you gave it a nice long life, it sounds like it wouldn't have made it had you not taken over it's care!

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

Here is a picture of her from a year ago. I had just gotten this big tank. She was in a 10 gallon, but I wanted to give her something just a little bigger.

 

[Isopods others]

You musn't be disheartened when she passes, you have given this creature more care than some give to far more complex creatures, I applaud your dedication it certainly is a shining example for us all.

 

[Taffy]

I rescued this vinegaroon about 2 years ago. She came from home where the person who had her, neglected her terribly. This person did not give her water or food for months. He kept her in a tiny little plastic container about 6 in by 6 in. Her tail broke off when she fell off of some plastic trees he put into the container. Sometimes I would go over and water her and bring her food. Then one day he just gave her to me. I moved her into a 40 gallon with lots of substrate to dig and play in. Lots of cork Park hide and other tunnels she can play. She was thriving. She was 9 years old, which now makes her 11. She used to be very active, she loved to dig and make tunnels, she had a very good appetite. About the past year or so, she slowly been declining, not as active, it was becoming harder for her to get a hold of her prey. It got to the point that the only thing she would eat, were almost pre-killed crickets. Even that she would miss and fumble for the prey. The past month I've tried to give her food but she does not want any. She's not as plump anymore, and she just sleeps and sleeps. I am at a loss and my heart is breaking, because she was such a special vinegaroon being a rescue and all. Is there anything I could do? Is she going to die? She still drinks once in a while, and it looks like she falls asleep in the water dish which I keep very shallow because I don't want her to drown in it. Any advice. I have two other vinegaroons who are happy, jumpy and very healthy with balloon shaped abdomens.

if he raised her for 9 years maybe it wasn’t being neglected lol….

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

if he raised her for 9 years maybe it wasn’t being neglected lol….

He had a bunch of other animals, a couple of bearded dragons, some lizards, about seven snakes, two cats, and about 50 different tarantulas and other insects, he lived with his elderly mother. He used to drink a lot and play video games. Me and his mother would sometimes help feed and water the animals. He didn't live too far from me. But a lot of the animals passed away sadly and he ended up getting more and more. One day the cat showed up at my house and never went back. Then he gave me the vinegaroon, and his exact words were, she will have a better life here I do not deserve these animals. I guess sometimes people get overwhelmed. :/

 

[Gilligan]

He had a bunch of other animals, a couple of bearded dragons, some lizards, about seven snakes, two cats, and about 50 different tarantulas and other insects, he lived with his elderly mother. He used to drink a lot and play video games. Me and his mother would sometimes help feed and water the animals. He didn't live too far from me. But a lot of the animals passed away sadly and he ended up getting more and more. One day the cat showed up at my house and never went back. Then he gave me the vinegaroon, and his exact words were, she will have a better life here I do not deserve these animals. I guess sometimes people get overwhelmed. :/

Ouch! Glad you were able to take her! You gave her a shining chance at living a happy life. Many people wouldn't look twice at a vinegaroon, it's really kind of you for caring about her well being and making her remaining time the best it could be

if he raised her for 9 years maybe it wasn’t being neglected lol….

Length of time doesn't dictate if a situation was neglect, it's how the animal is kept. Animals are hardy and can survive awful situations and come out the otherside still kicking. If an animal is not receiving proper care and is housed in an improper enclosure, that is neglect.

 

[coolnweird]

if he raised her for 9 years maybe it wasn’t being neglected lol….

Surviving is not thriving, and does not indicate proper care

 

[Taffy]

Surviving is not thriving, and does not indicate proper care

“surviving” for 9 years….

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

Update on Stumpy. I still change her water every day, make sure that part of her substrate is spray down with water, although she has no interest in digging. Try to give her a cricket yesterday, she barely fumbled for it, went under the log she loves, and just slept there. She's got another hideaway she loves, it's like a little castle. Some coconut shells she loves to go under. At least if the unfortunate happens, it'll be in a safe and quiet place, away from noise, neglect and chaos. I'm still hoping it's just a hunger strike as you know vinegaroons can be weird sometimes.

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

I am absolutely devastated, this morning I found her under her favorite log where she had passed away.

 

[Isopods others]

Her time at last. I'm sorry for you, You gave her a good life

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

Her time at last. I'm sorry for you, You gave her a good life

Thank you

I never expected her to leave such a hole in my heart. She was part of the family. She was loved by family and friends as we'll as many on social media. I cannot stop crying.

 

[Gilligan]

Dang, I am so sorry to hear that! It's rough loosing them. You gave her the best life she could ask for.

 

[Vinegaroonlover]

She had a good burial. Some friends came by to pay some respect because they loved her too. Found an antique box, put her in there with some flowers, white cotton lining, and a little bit of her old substrate. We buried her in the garden under the wind chimes. I miss her so much.