Wanna get my first scorpion but I need advice!

All the equipment and stuff is intimidating! I am usually the guy who is happy just learning things with trial and error but I don't wanna keep a new pet and risk having it die with improper conditions from me not being able to maintain it.

I live in Los Angeles, California and I was wondering if there is any scorpion species that would naturally thrive in the outside weather conditions? I was thinking about keeping it in a garage with no climate control because my grandma won't let me keep it in the house (she's scared. ). I read that scorpions can maintain themselves in a burrow (i just need a deep tank and a lot of subtrate?)

I think I can handle cleaning the tank and feeding.

I just need to know how get started.

Thanks.

There's quite a few scorpions native to that area.

Probably Vaejovis spinigerus (possibly listed as Hoffimanus spinigerus), Smeringurus mesaensis, or Hadrurus arizonensis would do well in LA conditions. These are all desert species -- some burrow, some dig out shallow hides under rocks. If you can supply lots of humidity, Pandinus imperator, the common emperor scorpion would be an OK first scorpion.

I didn't know there were some scorpions in Los Angeles!

Is a park a good place to look for them? I guess anywhere that some natural landscape is lol?

I don't know about IN the city, but that area. California has more scorpion species that any other state.

Try getting outside the city, finding a sunny hill, and looking under rocks. If that doesn't work, go back at night with a blacklight. If you catch something, until you can have it identified, just try to mimic the conditions you found it in.

We have a few members from the LA area -- wait until Abyss (Eddy) logs on, and he may be able to give you a few pointers (but he might not be back on until after Christmas).

If you go to any of the natural landscape areas of LA, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino county (or even San Diego county) you can find a pretty interesting array of scorps.

Vaejovis Puritanus have been found locally, along with S. Mesaensis, H. Arizonensis, other Vaejovis/Hoffimanus species are possible to find along with Serridigitus, Anuroctonus, maybe Uroctonus, and maybe Paruroctonus as well.

I tend to avoid looking around developed as there tends to be heavy insecticide usage. You are probably not very likely to find tooo much this time of year as due to the cold temp and rain has probably driven most scorps into closing off their burrows and remaining underground.

If you havn't yet, buy yourself an LED blacklight flashlight. You will need those! Also check out the local invert group SCABIES. Might be possible to join a group of people going on a hike/hunt and find yourself some goodies. If you do join and think about going to the next BBQ they plan drop me a note here and I'll give you a couple Vajovis Puritanus.

Okay looks like I have to drive a little further than I thought so I have to hold this conversation until gas money is a little less tight (maybe early next month?).

Thanks yall. I hope I can find a job in a little bit.