Worried about my Heterometrus silenus

[jstuemke]

Hello All!

I picked up an adult Heterometrus silenus for my son from Repticon in October. He's been an awesome addition so far! He is very eager to display threat posture, raising his palps and tail at the slightest movement near hist enclosure.Typically he spends all his time under his hide. This morning however, he was out in the open. As I performed some routine maintenance for his neighbors, I noticed he hadn't moved at all even though it is bright in the room (usually if I'm bustling about, he'll retreat if he's even out in the first place). So I opened his lid - still no movement. I grabbed my tweezers and gently prodded one of his pincers. He slightly opened both, kind of gesturing towards the tweezers, but with nowhere near the speed or vigor of his usual self. I should also mention that he just ate 2 crickets last night.

Just wondering what everybody thinks my next move should be? Could he be okay and just a little slow moving after his meal? He's our only scorpion, we usually only keep tarantulas. I've attached a photo of a couple days after bringing him home, as I was moving him to his new enclosure.

Thanks for any insight you may have!

 

[CutThroat Kid]

I've noticed Forest scorpions become a bit more lethargic in premolt. Provide a damp clump of sphagnum moss for it to hide under and hydrate. I believe this encourages molting and may even speed up the process. Can't hurt either way, they love moisture.

 

[CutThroat Kid]

Hmm, in seeing the picture, you should really consider giving it some more space and deeper/better substrate asap, or at the very least, once it least once it next molts. Already seems like you have it crammed in that teeny tiny enclosure. It's probably stressed out if the only place to hide is under that tiny cork bark piece in there. AFSs are typically more active scorpions, but that being said, my motto is, A hiding scorpion is a happy scorpion. they need to be able to completely conceal themselves by either burrowing (not possible in your setup because with only an inch of coco fiber alone) or at least have a burrow style hide that is dark enough. Alway provide a full water dish too.

 

[jstuemke]

The container that the scorpion is in in the picture is what I purchased him in. I moved him into the one behind it. It has 2 plants, a hide and water dish. It's much more spacious for him. I could definitely add more to the substrate though,

 

[CutThroat Kid]

The container that the scorpion is in in the picture is what I purchased him in. I moved him into the one behind it. It has 2 plants, a hide and water dish. It's much more spacious for him. I could definitely add more to the substrate though,

Sorry if I was unclear, that enclose behind the deli cup is the one I was criticizing. Scorpions don't need much space, but what you have looks a bit too small for your specimen at its current size (in my opinion). While it probably won't kill it, being in there, it may be the stressor causing it to act in the way that has you concerned. I'm sure you will choose to keep it in there for the time being, but please consider upsizing after its next molt.

Definitely add more substrate, some damp sphagnum moss on the wetter side of the encloser (provide a humidity gradient), and an adequate hide for it (this means completely hidden, they like darkness), and an always filled water bowl (upside down water bottle cap works).

 

[jstuemke]

Sorry if I was unclear, that enclose behind the deli cup is the one I was criticizing. Scorpions don't need much space, but what you have looks a bit too small for your specimen at its current size (in my opinion). While it probably won't kill it, being in there, it may be the stressor causing it to act in the way that has you concerned. I'm sure you will choose to keep it in there for the time being, but please consider upsizing after its next molt.

Definitely add more substrate, some damp sphagnum moss on the wetter side of the encloser (provide a humidity gradient), and an adequate hide for it (this means completely hidden, they like darkness), and an always filled water bowl (upside down water bottle cap works).

Oh whoops, thought you were thinking I was keeping it in the deli cup Lol. Thanks for the tips! He definitely seems to enjoy the cork bark most of the time (he fits all the way under it to where you can barely see a claw sticking out), but I'll replace it with something even darker and add more substrate.

You're thinking a bigger enclosure? I thought it was pretty big, but I tend to keep on the more cramped end of the spectrum, I suppose. Which dimension you thinking could increase? More lateral space or vertical?

 

[jstuemke]

Quick update: He's back under the cork bark, so I feel better about that since its daytime and he's normally always hidden during day. I'm still a little concerned that he seemed so lethargic earlier, but hopefully he will improve once I fix his enclosure needs a bit.

 

[CutThroat Kid]

I think a clump of damp moss goes a long way in that they can built their burrow in it. I'd put some on the side opposite of its cork bark hide. It's probably okay for now in the enclosure you have, the picture might be deceiving on the actual size of the container. But I think you will be presently surprised how much size your scorpion will gain once it molts. I swear they almost double in size! A good rule of thumb for an enclosure is at least 3x the length of your scorpion in any direction (from stinger to pincher if layed out flat), and at least 2x the high -- though the height requirement is probably more for safety lol.

One thing you could do is mix damp moss in with the substrate on one side and make like a little cave burrow entry out of the moss mixed with coco fiber for it to hide in. Could be a cool look for your enclosure too.

To contradict my advice, I wouldn't worry all too much about enclosure size though if you think it's fine. If it can stroll around some and has a place to hide it will be okay. It's a scorpion after all. But these ones do like some space to explore.

 

[jstuemke]

I think a clump of damp moss goes a long way in that they can built their burrow in it. I'd put some on the side opposite of its cork bark hide. It's probably okay for now in the enclosure you have, the picture might be deceiving on the actual size of the container. But I think you will be presently surprised how much size your scorpion will gain once it molts. I swear they almost double in size! A good rule of thumb for an enclosure is at least 3x the length of your scorpion in any direction (from stinger to pincher if layed out flat), and at least 2x the high -- though the height requirement is probably more for safety lol.

One thing you could do is mix damp moss in with the substrate on one side and make like a little cave burrow entry out of the moss mixed with coco fiber for it to hide in. Could be a cool look for your enclosure too.

To contradict my advice, I wouldn't worry all too much about enclosure size though if you think it's fine. If it can stroll around some and has a place to hide it will be okay. It's a scorpion after all. But these ones do like some space to explore.

Thanks bud!

 

[bjjpokemon910]

The container that the scorpion is in in the picture is what I purchased him in. I moved him into the one behind it. It has 2 plants, a hide and water dish. It's much more spacious for him. I could definitely add more to the substrate though,

Tbh that is still not big enough I keep my scorpions at his size in a 5.5 gallon tank with 4 inches of substrate Bioactive and once full grown I upgrade my Heterometrus sp. to a 10 gallon enclosure. if you dont want to go bioactive atlease provide 3-4 inches of substrate to hold moisture and push humidity throughout the day. If you wanna try Bio we can have that conversation.

 

[2nscorpx]

I'm sorry, but the enclosure is way too small. I know you've said that the scorpion is an adult, and I can't tell from perspective and lighting, but it does not look fully mature to me. Either way, for an adult Heterometrus, a minimum enclosure size should be about 20x30x20 cm. The substrate (you have the correct substrate but it's far too dry) should be about 10 cm deep. Day temperatures should be about 28-30 degrees C, with nighttime temperatures dropping to about 26 C. Humidity should be about 70-80%. I would definitely add several large hides in the enclosure.

Fully adult scorpions, unlike tarantulas, don't continue to moult after they have reached adulthood. So the scorpion either has moults to go, which is likely the case, or does not. As @CutThroat Kid said, generally, you shouldn't see your scorpion(s) during the day. A scorpion that is ready to moult will usually refuse to eat and will be quite large with a "ballooned" appearance. Their cuticula (exoskeleton) will also be a relatively dull colour. When you suspect this is the case, keep the temperatures up and increase humidity, at least for tropical species.