Scorpion Molting or Dead? Please Help!

[Evan Azzara]

My juvenile emperor has become motionless and is not responding to any physical stimuli like water! I’ve had him for two years and he hasn’t molted a single time. He’s decently fat, but not obese. I’ve never been through a molt, so I have no idea what to expect or what the signs are. Is he molting or dead?! Please help, I’m so worried!

 

[ForTW]

Freshly molted and or dead. 2 years is a long time for this stage. Something must be off.

 

[Evan Azzara]

Freshly molted and or dead. 2 years is a long time for this stage. Something must be off.

He hasn’t been in that position for two years. He was eating and walking around fine. Then he hid for about a month and rejected food. Only now is he out here in this position.

 

[ForTW]

Alright, you know, Hard to tell by a picture so i will just share my toughts.

He/She molted, got thirsty or hungry and went searching one of those two. (Probably first)

Is the tail straight or regular? Legs look normal for a freshly molted one so he/she might be fine.

What is very uncommen is to remain in this Position for ages, so maybe he didn't found what he was looking for and dried out. Or he/she ist hardening and thus for not moving. If i'd be a scorpion i'd retreat to harden.

Is there anything you want us to know like not watering for a month? If this is something you are hiding i am pretty sure that one died. Food is not a major issue unless they are not super fat premolt.

And how did you not recognized him significantly gaining size?

Many toughts, one straight guess, it's dead.

 

[Evan Azzara]

Alright, you know, Hard to tell by a picture so i will just share my toughts.

He/She molted, got thirsty or hungry and went searching one of those two. (Probably first)

Is the tail straight or regular? Legs look normal for a freshly molted one so he/she might be fine.

What is very uncommen is to remain in this Position for ages, so maybe he didn't found what he was looking for and dried out. Or he/she ist hardening and thus for not moving. If i'd be a scorpion i'd retreat to harden.

Is there anything you want us to know like not watering for a month? If this is something you are hiding i am pretty sure that one died. Food is not a major issue unless they are not super fat premolt.

And how did you not recognized him significantly gaining size?

Many toughts, one straight guess, it's dead.

Most likely didn’t molt because I couldn’t find a leftover shell and his size didn’t increase.

Tried feeding him yesterday before entering his current position and he didn’t want it. Made sure to give him plenty of water.

His tail is curled to his side.

I always sprayed his tank, don’t accuse me. He had plenty of water.

 

[ForTW]

No offenes, i just asked.

Well then, dead, a pandinus imperator is not this bright and if the tail i in the floor, it's gone.

 

[CRX]

Freshly molted and or dead. 2 years is a long time for this stage. Something must be off.

I agree and @ @Evan Azzara no one is accusing, but 2 years is a very extremely unusual time for a juvie to go without molting. That is the reality and it must be pointed out. Also, showering your scorpion with water if you're concerned it might be molting isn't smart to do. They should have adequate humidity and moist substrate in the first place.

You think we sound like elitists, but this stuff has to be said. And lastly, in basically EVERY care thread for AFS on here, we REPEAT OVER AND OVER that spraying with a mister bottle is simply not enough. You have to pour water in the substrate, nearly saturate it to a degree. Spraying doesn't penetrate the substrate where the scorpion digs burrows, and if the deep substrate isn't moist they cannot burrow at all. We could use a pic of the entire enclosure but I'm guessing theres a reason you didn't post it.

Lastly, I'm concerned with the wood chips I see on the substrate. These are not safe to use with any burrowing arachnids as they can piece their soft flesh :/