10 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Pet Scorpion
Despite the danger they pose to inexperienced handlers, scorpions can make fascinating pets. They don’t take a lot of space too which might make them ideal for a small apartment. Before adopting a scorpion, you need to keep in the mind the following facts.
They live for up to six years. If healthy, a scorpion can live for three to six years. Its longevity will also depend on the species, the ideal conditions of its habitat, and its diet.
A scorpion is relatively huge for an insect. An adult can reach up to 8 inches in length depending on the species, so it is a large insect compared to other insects you can adopt as pets. Because of its size, its enclosure needs to be big enough for it to move around as well. As it grows older, you will want to upgrade its enclosure to make sure it has enough space.
The scorpion is an insectivore. This means you can’t feed it fruits or vegetables like you would other insect pets. The best meal for a scorpion are live insects such as mealworms, waxworms, and crickets. Some experienced pet owners raise these insects to save money on the food. Make sure to supply it with chlorine-free water daily.
They have special feeding habits. To avoid overfeeding or underfeeding them, remember that adults need only to eat every other day while juveniles need to feed daily. Feed them only at night because they are nocturnal creatures.
They might need a supplement. Because they might not be getting enough vitamins and minerals, you will want to include calcium supplement once or twice a week depending on the veterinarian’s recommendation.
The scorpion molts. As it grows, it will remove its exoskeleton by molting. You can only feed a scorpion if it isn’t molting. Do not be alarmed if the scorpion refuses to eat, because they might be preparing to molt.
You need to provide the right landscape. As much as possible, you should make their enclosure resemble their natural habitat. An aquarium is your safest choice, but make sure it has a lid on top. Use a mulch-type substrate but avoid gravel and turf. Maintain the temperature between 80°F to 90°F and provide 8 to 12 hours of lighting by installing infrared or nocturnal lights.
You will need several enclosures. Never place a scorpion with other pets in the same enclosure. You should also separate adult scorpions to avoid fighting.
Handle carefully. Avoid handling the scorpion if it is not necessary. However, if you need to move or inspect it, you should only handle it if the exoskeleton ahs hardened after molting. Otherwise, you might injure it.
Know the warning signs. You should check the scorpion daily for the following signs of health problems: dull exoskeleton, swollen limbs, bumps, sores, abnormal feces, and discharge from the eyes or mouth. It might be difficult to look for a veterinarian who specializes in insects too.