Shaky hands? Bothriurus Q.

[Vermis]

I looked in at one of my Bothruirus coriaceus tonight and what I saw was mildly worrying. It's right pedipalp and chelicera were extended in a way that might be called 'limp'. The pedipalp also shook or twitched a little, as it reacted to my opening it's tub.

It's a wild-caught scorp. I bought it two months ago as a possibly gravid female. I've kept it on dry sand with a little dry coir added. It seems content to use a hide, though the loose sand doesn't offer many burrowing opportunities. That should be fixed soon. It's kept at room temperature, roughly 68F at this time of the year. I give one side of the tub a light spray of water, once a week or less. It's been off it's food a few weeks. My other two coriaceus seem to be fine.

Any pointers or advice? I'm a little worried about parasites or mycosis (not much experience with desert scorps), but if anyone could offer an opinion one way or the other, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Alakdan]

Your description is consistent with scorpion behaviour during pre molt.
I watched my A. mauritanicus do the exact same thing 5 days ago. It was in a weird position and was shaking. It molted within the next 3 hours. So your scorp may not be gravid, and will molt soon.

 

[Vermis]

That's a relief. I haven't seen the behaviour in any of my other scorpions (yet), so I thought it was a little unusual.

Thanks!