Need help with a domestic Scorpion

[Solly Mack]

Kids found a baby scorpion still in the clear stage. This was 3 weeks ago and I now have "it" in a kritter keeper. It's eating crickets and drinking water from a sponge. My questions are-

Does anyone know best temps for the critter? Best lighting? And any other info you can share to help me. Thanks!!!!

[GainesT1958]

1. As most Scorpions are used to...

Drier climates, keep up the water from the sponge, and not a bowl or tube. And...LOTS of crickets, spiders, and roaches--he (or she) is in a growing stage right now, and NEEDS all the food he/she can get!

B-)

[Solly Mack]

3. Thanks!!!!

He's already getting color (red) and maybe an inch long.

[Superfly]

2. OK, maybe I'm just naive,

but how can a scorpion become domestic? Does it eat out of a little scorpion food bowl? Do you have to take it for walks? How about visits to the vet? Can you pet it?

Brian

:evilgrin:

[Solly Mack]

4. LOL! Just meant he's not an Empress or anything exotic

just a regular old everyday common scorpion.....

[radwriter0555]

5. And you need to keep it captive because....

WHY exactly?

Let the poor lil thing go.

[Solly Mack]

6. Consulted an Entomologist who said to keep him until he's an adult

and then set him free...because the children caught him while still so young and held him for 3 weeks in a baggie. The bug doc said the scorpion needed to be fed and watered and allowed to grow some more before being set free. He just wasn't very clear on the best "home" to make for him while he recovers. ..well, other than a sponge for water and crickets...and "warm and dry"...but I keep a fairly cool house and wondered if others had knowledge(firsthand) of keeping scorpions and could give me some pointers on proper temp for the little buggie....



Oh and....I got him because some kid brought him to "show and tell" (kindergarten) and they were going to just kill him afterwards...

[radwriter0555]

7. ok I feel MUCH better now! You're doing the right thing!

ODDLY this site, even though run by some jesus person, seems to have some good, basic info on your lil critter...

http://www.geocities.com/jesusislord_514/scorpcare.html

[Solly Mack]

8. Thank you!!! That link was a big help!!!

They even had a picture of the scorpion I have....




I now know "warm" means 80-90 degrees! Heat lamp a must!(my house stays at 70 during the winter (and it's coming)

thanks again!!!

[radwriter0555]

9. Cuties, aren't they?

Just all cuddly wuddly!

[catzies]

13. I think it's great you're teaching them not to be afraid of bugs

I feel sorry for kids who learn from their parents that bugs are icky, gross or scary.

[Solly Mack]

16. It was brought in for show and tell

by a child whose siblings caught it. They wanted to kill the little thing so I agreed to take it home.

I'm setting it free as soon as he matures a little more. He's sitting on my desk now and is fascinating to watch.

I agree about teaching children about bugs...and how beautiful theya re!I like bugs! Always have...I have 2 "writing spiders" nesting around my flowers right now.

[Melsky]

10. My scorpion's name is Barky

because it is an Arizona Bark Scorpion. They are the ones with a very nasty sting! I found it in the house next to my bed, just as I was preparing to go to sleep. I had left the door open all night a few nights before (accidentally) so I think that is how it got in because our house is really well sealed.

Now it lives in a large jar in our shed. It's only about an inch long, the size of a very large earwig. I have been feeding it flies. My husband and I plan on taking it far out in the desert and releasing it soon.

Good luck with your scorpion.

[Solly Mack]

15. Thanks! Mine seems to like his sponge a lot

he "sleeps" on it....

[Skittles]

11. Oh, I thought you were talking about a Scorpion person

you know, born in Oct/Nov; I was going to advise you to immediately kill him/her. :7

[Kat45]

12. I thought the same thing!

And I sure wouldn't take in a Scorpion person. :D

[Solly Mack]

14. lol I lived with a "Scorpion" once....

it was...interesting. :)

[Kat45]

17. So did I -- twice!

Once with a guy, once with a roommate. Both situations were highly volatile.