Heterometrus spinifer

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This is a specific care sheet for Malaysian Scorpions (Heterometrus spinifer), for more in this genus see Category:Heterometrus.

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Description 3 Habitat 3.1 Enclosure 3.2 Substrate 4 Temperature 5 Humidity 6 Feeding 7 Breeding 8 Ailments 9 Molting 10 Other problems

[edit] Introduction

The Malaysian Forest scorpion has many common aliases including the Giant Blue Scorpion, Asian Scorpion, Malaysian Giant Scorpion, Thai Black Scorpion, Thailand Forest Scorpion and often confused with the true Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus).

Although the Malaysian Forest Scorpion is very similar to the Emperor Scorpion in shape and coloration, the Malaysian Forest Scorpion has a stronger sting than the [[Pandinus]] species. The sting is said to equal that of a hornet. Additionally, Malaysian Forest Scorpions are known to be more territorial, though not as aggressive as the Asian Forest Scorpion. In the wild they usually live under logs and other natural debris. They are terrestrial animals, but may burrow to some extent. In the wild, they feed primarily on insects. Their venom is only slightly toxic, although some people may be more sensitive to it then others. When threatened, they rarely use their tail to attack. Instead, they use their large pedipalp, which is quite capable of drawing blood. Malaysian Forest Scorpions found in the wild are usually more aggressive then those raised in captivity, although many quickly loose their aggressiveness if handled frequently. They can be kept in small groups, although that is not suggested.

[edit] Description

The Malaysian Forest Scorpion is quite large, averaging around 15 cm (6 inches) in length. They are black, with glints of dark bluish green depending on the light and the angle. In the sunlight they do not appear black at all. This is quite different from the Asian Scorpion, which is entirely black in all lighting conditions. The Malaysian Scorpion is also significantly larger than the Asian. In addition to size they can be further distinguished from the Asian by a variety of factors.

The most noticeable difference between the two species is the appearance of the claws. The Malaysian's pincers have very smooth grooves in the sides, while the Asian's pincers have no grooves. In addition to that, the Asian's pincers are slightly bubbled. Their appearance is similar to the Emperor Scorpion's claws, but they do not have the extreme bubbling that the Emperor does. The Malaysian doesn't have bubbled pincers at all; they are almost perfectly smooth. Furthermore, the Malaysian holds much wider stance when in an attack posture than the Asian. It spreads its claws all the way apart with the tail aimed directly toward the sky. When the Asian scorpion is in its attack posture, it tends to curl its tail over in a way that is similar to the walking stance, and the pincers are kept almost directly in front of the body as a protection mechanism. Lastly the Malaysian can move a little more rapidly than the Asian. Both species have a cleft between the bases of the chelicerae and powerful pedipalps (claws) at the base of the tarsus. They have a medium to long life span and are quite hardy. As its name suggests the Malaysian Forest Scorpion is native to Malaysia though it is also seen in some other areas in Asia.

[edit] Habitat

[edit] Enclosure

They can be housed in a 2.5 to 20 gallon tank, depending on how many scorpions there are.

[edit] Substrate

They should have a floor of at least 8 cm (3 inches) of potting soil, vermiculite, peat moss or a combination, whatever you choose the substrate must be kept moist.

[edit] Temperature

H. spinifer requires temperature conditions of 24-32°C (75-90°F). A temperature gradient is important to allow the scorpion to regulate their body temperature as needed. The easiest way to provide the gradient is by using a heating mat designed for use under reptile tanks. This should be placed under no more than about 1/3 of the tank, so your pet can move from warmer to cooler temperatures if desired. Always verify that appropriate temperatures are being provided by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the enclosure.

[edit] Humidity

They should be kept in a high humidity environment of approximately 80%. This can be achieved through the provision of a large shallow water bowl, and regular mistings whenever necessary. To successfully maintain the desired humidity conditions for your scorpion you are going to need a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity within the enclosure.

[edit] Feeding

Adult Malaysian Forest Scorpions can be fed crickets, large insects and occasionally mice. Any uneaten food must be promptly removed from the terrarium as uneaten food can attract mites, which are very dangerous and stressful to the scorpion.

[edit] Breeding

The Malaysian Forest Scorpion is bred regularly in captivity. Babies grow very rapidly. A 6-month-old Malaysian Asian Scorplett can average 2.5 inches in length. This is quite striking when compared to other species, such as Hadogenes troglodytes, whose scorpletts are less than a third of the size at the same age. Malaysian Scorpions usually make good parents and do not eat their young as often as Asian Forest Scorpions.

When caring for babies keep them in a 20 gallon terrarium if you intend to leave them with the parenting adult. This is much easier than caring for them individually. The mother will kill prey (prey must be at least the same size as the mother's claw and no more than one at a time), and feed her young scorpions while keeping them safe from over-heating or under-heating as well.

Baby Malaysian Forest Scorpions can be separated as they slowly outgrow the burrow they stay in with their mother (about three inches as long as a large amount of substrate is provided as well as a number of burrows). Also, as a note, the substrate seems healthiest for the scorpions if it is kept damp.

[edit] Ailments

Scorpions are generally quite hardy and adaptable if they are provided with the correct environment. A few signs that may indicate that your pet is not acting or feeling normal are a loss of appetite, acting listless or sluggish, having an overly swollen stomach, and missing or deformed limbs. Another problem can be an infestation of mites.

[edit] Molting

One of the most common reasons for the death in scorpions is the moult. The scorpion has a tough outer covering, a cuticle, that forms a rigid exoskeleton. All scorpions must shed their old exoskeleton and secrete a new one in order to grow, this is called the moult. Scorpions will moult from 6 to 10 times during their lifetime. This moulting process takes a lot of energy and they are very vulnerable for a couple of days after the moult until their new skin hardens. For about 24 hours prior to moulting it is not unusual for a scorpion to get quite sluggish. A difficult moult can result in lost or deformed limbs, or death. This is thought to be related to humidity levels. There can be either too much humidity or too little, depending on the species. In captivity a lot of immature scorpions die during the moulting process.

[edit] Other problems

Though many scorpions can go for long periods of time without eating, overfeeding can cause an overly swollen stomach as well as the loss of appetite, and even death. The stomach can be slightly swollen from regular eating, and this is not a problem. Another problem can be an infestation of mites. Uneaten food can attract mites, which are very dangerous and stressful to scorpions. Be sure to remove old food.