Understanding Instar, and Heterometrus Spinifer, New Owner

[H3lld0g111]

Hello everyone! So I need some help understanding some stuff about scorpions or more specifically instar. What is it? If I need to know how do I figure it out? The reason I'm asking is because I have a Heterometrus Spinifer, and I got it a month and 20 days ago. (I got the Tarantula app, and add it on there for myself ) So how would I go about figuring out what instar its at?? Then, how do I figure out what sex it is? Is there something I'm looking for?? Is it like a flap like from molted Tarantula? Or something like that?

 

[Dry Desert]

Hello everyone! So I need some help understanding some stuff about scorpions or more specifically instar. What is it? If I need to know how do I figure it out? The reason I'm asking is because I have a Heterometrus Spinifer, and I got it a month and 20 days ago. (I got the Tarantula app, and add it on there for myself ) So how would I go about figuring out what instar its at?? Then, how do I figure out what sex it is? Is there something I'm looking for?? Is it like a flap like from molted Tarantula? Or something like that?

There are numerous previous postings on this forum dealing with How to Sex Scorpions and explaining what Instars are, I'm sure you will find plenty.

 

[Tangled]

Instars are based on the number of molts. 1st instar is birth, 2nd is after first molt etc. Most scorpions mature at 7-8i. (7-8instar). If you weren't told what instar yours is, you could try to guess based on size, but that wouldn't be very accurate. For my unknowns, I keep track of the molts by writing it on their container and then when they are at or near adult size and it's feasible they could be mature based on the # of molts in your care, you could attempt breeding.
As for sexing Heterometrus; that would be based on the operculum and pectine tooth count. The operculum shape might change a little over time, but the tooth count remains constant. I haven't looked at counts for Heterometrus, so that, you would have to look up. I would suggest you google "hetermetrus male female" and it should show you any available images of dimorphism. Some scorpions have the same tooth count or overlapping counts. Keep reading and have fun!