starting out - wich to start with

[Kizzywhizzy]

hi i need to know how to start oun in this hobby..

wich one is the best starter.

 

[TRowe]

Review most, if not all of the "sticky" topics at the top of this forum. Other than that, remember that Google is your friend, and The Scorpion Files is a great site for species-specific information. Also, use the search tool in this forum to find answers to specific questions. If you can't find what you're looking for, go ahead and post a specific question or comment.

Good luck,

Tim

 

[Murziukas]

Centruroides Margaritatus.

 

[ThatGuy]

now are we talkin witch is a good started scorpion, like to beggin with ? cuz if were talkin about starter scorpions then Centruroides Margaritatus would not be a good starter. No Centruroides sp. would be a good starter cuz there very fast and quick to sting and most likely they have powerful venom. i would recomend an H. Arizonis or H. Spadix the biggeners never get bored of them, shoot i never get bored of em, there not deadly but they are very aggressive and fun to watch when feeding them plus they love to dig alot and always very active, great scorps for the novice and for the experts, really cant go wrong with them.

 

[siucfi]

I would recommend either h. arizonensis or P. imperator both are very cool scorps to begin with, and they do not pack much of a punch if stung.

 

[Gsc]

P. imperator (Emperor scorpion) is a great starter in my mind because:

-Most commonly availiable
- Cheaply priced
-LOTS of printed info on them (care, feeding, natural history, etc.)
-Mild Sting (not an agressive species to start with)
-BIG & Impressive
-all around cool scorpion!

Good luck!

 

[Brian S]

IMO a Desert Hairy (Hadrurus arizonensis,Hadrurus spadix etc) is by far the best one to start with. They have no humidity requirements, are large, and very hardy animals.

 

[Prymal]

Kizzywhizzy,

There are several commonly recommended "starter" scorpion species including:

Desert hairy scorps - Hadrurus arizonensis (U.S.A.)
Emperor scorps - Pandinus imperator (Africa)

Both of the above species are large, heavy-bodied, commonly available, inexpensive, easy to care for species, with a great deal of care information for both available on the web.

Also, if you'd prefer something in the mid-size range (generally <4"/10 cm):

Cheloctonus jonesii (Africa)
Iomachus politus (Africa)
Opisthacanthus asper (Africa)

Good luck!

Luc

 

[Prymal]

Brian S-

You may be right. I've only had my two fem H. arizonensis for a short while but they do seem like quite a hardy lot, and as you stated, do not require a humid environment.
They also tend to be more active than many emperors and are a very impressive scorp when it comes to size and "spirit"!

Luc

 

[parabuthus]

Centruroides Margaritatus.

From everything I've read about the Centruroides genus I would NOT recommend any member of this group as a starter scorp.

I recommend Pandinus imperator (Emperor scorpion) or Hadrurus arizonensis (Arizona Desert Hairy scorpion). Both are excellent starter scorps. The previous being larger and more robust and also typically more docile. The latter is still a large scorpion, but not quite as robust and is typically more aggressive and quick to use it's sting in defence and through predation.

P. imperator first though, I'd say.

Goodluck.

 

[ReptileMan27]

The 2 best begginer scorpions are Pandinus imperator and desert hairy.

 

[Murziukas]

I would recomend it because:
- active all the time
- mild venom (we are talkin about Margaritatus)
- fast growing
- not medicaly significant
- easy breeding

I wouldn't recomend any other member of centruroides as this one I keep personaly and I'm very happy with it.

From everything I've read about the Centruroides genus I would NOT recommend any member of this group as a starter scorp.

 

[G. Carnell]

Just to back up what Tadas said, the C.marg are said to have an LD50 of 60.. thats more than the "pandinus exitalis" shown on the same chart

however.. i wouldnt want to have it Mixed up with any other species

everyone gets Emps as beginners.. get some! theyre nice

 

[parabuthus]

I've seen ALOT of confusion over the ID of this particular Centruroides species among very experienced keepers. Therefore, it is a big 'no-no' for beginners IMO, incase you end up with a far more venomous scorpion than you think...

I think it is text book. Emperor scorpions are the best species to start with. Desert Hairys are also a great species for beginners, intermediate and advanced keepers alike.

 

[Murziukas]

Well, to make a confession: I never had pandinus or hereometrus and I'm happy with that. My first was hadogenes, second - buthus, then I bought centruroides and hottentota... Now I have 6 species (all buthids) and feel no regret for it. I would say go for C. Margaritatus if you have reliable seller.

 

[drapion]

I would say hadogenes spp. are the best first scorp.They never sting are simple to care for and you can hold them (at least I do).And the worst thing they can do to you is pinch you but all scorps pinch.

 

[parabuthus]

Hadogenes are great in that they are typically docile and have one of the weakest venoms of all scorpions. Mine never uses it's sting in defence. I've seen it use it's sting to catch prey (and it done absolutely nothing!), but she won't sting in a defensive manner.

That said, they are very delicate compared to, for instance P. imperator or H. arizonensis. And while P. imperator requires high humidity (which is relatively simple to get) and H. arizonensis requires a bone dry setting (nothing is easier), Hadogenes require more tricky levels of humidity (60%). Which sustaining might be too much for a beginner to the hobby. They are also extremely slow growing and don't eat much which could affect their appeal to a first time keeper.

Just my opinion.

 

[drapion]

my male eats anything and every thing I give him.But when I got him I could see though him and he wouldn't move at all.how hes active and very healthy

 

[Prymal]

Mornin' all-

Personally, I still stand by the old stand by and recommend the emperor over most others. However, there are a few mid-size scorps that tend to be overlooked and make great starter species, such as Cheloctonus jonesii, Iomachus politus and Opisthacanthus spp. Even though none of these species attain the size and mass of emperors and desert hairies, they can get upwards to 4.5" and are a robust lot in their own rights. Easy to care for, inoffensive and all make great starter scorps for those with limited space. Heterometrus spp. also make great starter scorps but are rarely as inoffensive as many emperors except for P. cavimanus, which tends to be more seclusive and more quick to react defensively if disturbed.
With that being said, I started with emperors a bit over 14 years ago (next, were P. transvaalicus!) and must confess that it was their impressive size and dark, menacing appearance that first got me hooked on scorps and I still have a few of my original emperors from 14 years ago, and hope to have them for many more years to come! Best of luck on your final choice.

Luc

 

[Kizzywhizzy]

Well I have looked around and the only one I can find is the Emperor Scorpion so I think I am going to start with that. How many is good to get because I know you can put them together and how big of a tank?