Should I get a Smeringus mesaensis?

[Biollantefan54]

Bump, please reply, not a lot of time!!!

 

[shebeen]

Most tapes lose their adhesion when heated. You'll probably have better luck with a heat resistant spray adhesive. Here's one sold at Lowes.

Calcium sand will work but you're paying premium for it and it's not the type of sand they encounter in the wild. You can buy a 50lbs sack of play sand for less than $5 at most home improvement/hardware stores (the same types of places that sell spray adhesive). It's a lot of sand, however, so a smaller amount from Petsmart may be worth the expense. Petsmart also sells adhesive backed heat mats.

 

[Biollantefan54]

I looked for a heat pad at my closest petsmart and they didn't have it, I will check back to see if I missed it, I found this at my local lowes, this should work right, it is also EXTREMELY cheap! http://www.lowes.com/pd_10392-286-1...and&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=play+sand&facetInfo=. Thanks for the help, I cant wait to get this thing!!

 

[shebeen]

The Lowes play sand will work fine. It's the same stuff that I use for my H. arizonensis. I mix it with 20% Excavator Clay, moisten and allow to dry so it holds tunnels and burrows. I've read that some keepers use a similar mix for their S. mesaensis but reduce the clay to 10% or less, making the substrate easier to dig but still hold its shape.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Do I have to provide some clay to mix or can I just put down some pieces of wood/rock for it to hide under?

 

[shebeen]

You can keep them on loose sand but they will burrow if provided a burrowing (sand/clay) substrate. If kept on loose sand, provide it with some sort of hide(s) that it can dig a scrape under: thin piece of slate or drift wood, cork bark, flower pot shard, etc. You don't want your scorp crushed so avoid heavy rocks and the like.

If you wish to provide a burrowing substrate, it'll take a week or two to dry, depending on the depth. While it's drying you can keep your scorp in a temporary tank with loose sand and a hide.

 

[Biollantefan54]

I will just throw in some slate or something, thanks for the info!

---------- Post added 03-09-2013 at 02:48 PM ----------

I just got done calling PetSmart and they have a heat mat with an adhesive side to it, I have a plastic kritter keeper and I need to know if the heat mat will melt the plastic? I already asked them if they had a thermostat to control how much heat the heat mat puts out and they don't have one. I am pretty sure this is the last thing I need to know. Thanks!!

 

[vespers]

I have a plastic kritter keeper and I need to know if the heat mat will melt the plastic?

Zoo Med makes one for Hermit Crabs, that is apparently safe to mount on a kritter keeper IIRC. Thing is, because its safe to mount on plastic, its almost pointless because it only raises the temp in the spot its mounted on a scant few degrees.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Okay, I got a heat mat and it is on the side of the tank, it did not melt it but it doesn't look to be putting out a lot of heat in the enclosure. I stuck my hand in and didn't feel much. I have a lamp thing for a heat light and I put in a 40 watt light bulb and it made heat quick. Is this okay to put on top of the plastic lid, I have it on while it sits on top of the plastic to see if it will melt but is it to much heat for the scorpion? Thanks

---------- Post added 03-10-2013 at 02:09 PM ----------

I cant figure out how to heat this tank! I have a uth on the side and it is not doing anything for it and I have tried to put a 40 watt light bulb above it and that makes it pretty warm but my dad thinks it will melt it. What should I do?

 

[shebeen]

I would use a 40 or 50 Watt IR or red incandescent bulb in your lamp to provide heat. Position the lamp an appropriate distance from the KK to achieve the temperature you desire. Some lamp fixtures have a built in dimmer so you can adjust the temperature while keeping the lamp stationary. Incandescent bulbs can melt plastic if placed too close. But, if you're melting plastic, you're supplying way way too much heat to your enclosure. You also need a thermometer in your tank to monitor the temperature. I like these inexpensive digital ones, but an analog thermometer will do (it just may not be as accurate, easy to position or last as long).

 

[Biollantefan54]

Well, I went against what my dad said and since he is outside, I put the light on the top of the plastic. It has stayed at a constant 80 degrees but I am using a thermometer that looks like a speedometer in a car with the little lever like thing on the inside. It has been on top for about 45 minutes to an hour and it just has the plastic warm but not soft or melting. I will leave it on for another 2 or 3 hours just to be sure. Is this okay if it doesn't melt?

 

[shebeen]

Personally, I wouldn't place the lamp directly on the plastic. But, if you're confident that it won't melt or deform your KK, I guess it will be ok. Are you using a regular (white) light bulb? If so, it's only appropriate for day time use. Scorpions are nocturnal and typically only venture out of their burrows/hides after dark. For heat at night, an IR or red tinted bulb would be a better choice as scorpions are less sensitive to red light.
I'm pretty sure an IR bulb will melt your KK if the lamp is placed directly on the plastic.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Yes it is regular "circular" white light bulb, it is putting out a pretty good amount of heat and it has not done anything to the plastic and it has been there for an hour. Now, at night, do I really need a heat source, It gets at the lowest 72 and it is turning spring so it will be about 74 at night, Can I just turn off the light to simulate day/night lighting and temperature or does it need to be warmer during the night, I could also leave the heat mat running all night for some heat.

 

[Biollantefan54]

I don't know if this is against the rules for bumping a thread this early I just want to get everything I need to know before it comes in 2 days. Sorry.

 

[vespers]

Using no light at night and letting the temps drop some during that time is fine if you want to. They experience a nocturnal temperature drop in the wild anyhow.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Okay, I think I am all set to go!