South African scorpions, few questions

[MapleMatt]

Hi guys, I have several questions about keeping species from South Africa, I dont know, if its nessessary to mention the specie or if it could apply in general, but I hope, that Ill find answears here. I want to ask about the ideal size of enclosure and substrate, eventually you can post a picture for illustration. I think Ill get Opistophalmus, Hadogenes or Opisthacanthus, not exactlly sure yet, would specify later on, but if you could post a picture of your setup, I think that itll help me a lot. My next question comes to heating of the enclosure, do they need a heating in summer months? Average temperatures in summer months are about 86F and in night like 61 or so. Nonethless I would like to know about the heating in general if not nessessary in summer, what to use in colder months....heat pad, heat rock...I dont know what is ideal and last but not least about the amount and type of the substrate in the enclosure....also, if it doesnt differ from specie to specie or if its possible when we talk about South African species to use certain type of substrate for most of them. I will later ofcourse specify the species Im going to get. I dont know if there are some additional informations I should know, feel free to tell me, Ill really appreicate it. Thanks to everyone who are willing to help me and have a great rest of the weekend. and please excuse my English, Im not native speaker
*also my room in the winter is about 68F, is it ok to just use heat pad on the terrarium eventually heat rock or I need to increase the room temperature?

 

[Willa]

Don't use heating rocks. They can burn your animal. I use a heating pad on the side of the cage when it gets cooler, but unfortunately I don't know anything about the species you listed. I keep my emperor's enclosure at about 80F on one side year round and it does just fine.

 

[MapleMatt]

Thanks a lot for reply, I hope that I'll be able to find some literature as I'm not sure how active is this section to find answers I'm looking for. Once again, thanks

 

[ArachnoDrew]

Hadogonese and opistophthalmus like very hot temps. 90°+

Best heat source is a bulb either infrared or ceramic

Matt's are not a good option to heat an enclosure

 

[MapleMatt]

Hadogonese and opistophthalmus like very hot temps. 90°+

Best heat source is a bulb either infrared or ceramic

Matt's are not a good option to heat an enclosure

Thanks a lot for your help, I'm yet not exactly sure about the measurement of the enclosure for a pair, is 30x30x30 Exo Terra enough or too small? I'll also ask about ideal wattage of infrared. Thank you for answearing in advance

 

[ArachnoDrew]

Wattage all depends on the setup. I use (2) 100watt infrared bulbs to heat my scorpion cabinetm if the bulb is going to sit on top of a single enclosure like an exo terra. Something much lower wattage will do maybe 50 or so. The distance between the bumb and the scorpion is a big factor to play it safe.if u do use a bulb. Get a dome housing that comes with an adjuster on it so u can just turn it up or down

 

[neubii18]

I bred and kept Androctonus australis with a zoo med heat pad under the tank for a few years with no issue. I know the logic behind not using them is that they burrow to escape heat, but mine thrived and produced numerous broods through this method.