Feeding help

Good morning
This is my first post besides my introductory post which can be found on this thread: /t6417-hello-from-new-york

I have two emperor scorpions. I've had one 3 weeks more than my most resent one, which I've had for only a week.

I've been feeding my scorpions live crickets, but I ran out, and there is no pet shop near me that I know of to buy more. So I ordered online "Fluker's 1.6-Ounce Freeze Dried Crickets" and my 'oldest' one, Sasori, has only eaten one so far since the food arrived yesterday. My youngest one, Nite, doesn't seem to notice the food.

When it received the food, I placed two dried cricket in a small plate. Sasori ate one only because I accidentally dropped one on her when I was using a tong. But both Sasori and Nite literally just walk over both the dried cricket, they don't seem interested in it.

Is it because they prefer live food? Or maybe they just need to get used to it? Maybe they aren't hungry? But Nite, is small, and I read that when scorpions are younger, they eat the most so they can grow.

I will, eventually, be able to buy live crickets, but in the mean while, I'd like them to eat what I bought.
Any tips or ideas? Much appreciated.

Also, since these are my first scorpions ever, I'd like to know what scorpions owners prefer, so I added a poll.

Emperor's are known for feeding a lot, then randomly stopping. I've also witnessed a lot of scorpions not feeding when they're getting ready to molt. I've also had scorpions not want to eat the freeze dried stuff before(when I first got into the hobby).

Any pictures of your setup, description of the temp/humidity along with pictures of the Emperors will help determine things that you may not be able to explain or not notice as anything abnormal versus some of us who have been keeping for years. I wouldn't worry because of a week or two of not eating, they can go longer then that without eating. Just offer a couple times a week, but you may see better results with live food.

I prefer Blaptica Dubia roaches because of more nutrition versus crickets, and you can breed/keep them yourself as they don't stink like crickets, and they live longer. You can get you a few adults and mixed nymphs for under $50 from places(if you would like them let me know and I'll help you find the best deal).

They need live food. Crickets are good and pretty cheap. You can order a tub online, or maybe ask a shop to get you some in.
If they dont get to eat for a week or two, dont worry, it wont harm them but if you are struggling to find food, I'd be tempted to seperate them until they are well fed.

Here is my tank set up, along with a photo of both my scorpions taken just a few minutes ago.

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Thank you Neal, I never knew they eat roches as well, I'll defiantly look into it.
And Peloguin, yes I understand that they can favor live food, I've feed them to it most of the time, I'm just trying something new until I am able to buy more live crickets.

I thought the problem could have been getting them to switch between live and dried food.

whats the blue net looking thing in your tank?
and yeah i would add roaches to your poll if you can they are a very common feeder for most people, (although im yet to get any) locusts are another one we tend to vary with

Well I noticed that at night time, my scorpion tries climbing up the corners of the tank so I put a net in there yesterday so she can climb on. Surprisingly she used it... to poop on. lol

Yeah I had no idea that roches can be used as food. I only thought that scorpions where able to eat crickets and superworms.

Also, if I use roaches, they wouldn't be too big for them right? I noticed that it takes my scorpion almost an hour to fully finish eating a cricket!

well you get get diff sized roaches, also if you was planning on using them long term you might want to think about starting a breeding colony, quite easy to do apparently im looking into it myself you can get starter roach kits here in the uk

hm... I was thinking of breeding crickets... I guess it would be a good idea, since it'll save me from going to the pet shop and buying them weekly. Although, in my pet shop they are cheap, 10 crickets for $1, and they last more than a week. I'll look into that because I also noticed they sell cricket feeds online. The only thing I know will bother me is that crickets tend to smell bad.

Welcome to the forum bro.

Roaches FTW!

Thanks Jamie

Javey wrote:

The only thing I know will bother me is that crickets tend to smell bad.

thats what puts me off them too, they stink so gonna start my roach thing up soon

Use dubia roaches. Dead easy to breed. Just started my colony up again.

ah you will have to email me with some tips please, i dont really know much about them,do i just need a big tub some egg box things and a dish for food? oh and roaches of course lol

Alright I guess I have to try the roaches, thanks a lot guys, I learned something new.

Haha, my mom would flip out if she sees me breeding roaches

Breed roaches. I can help you find people that will sell them to you. Actually the guy I ordered mine from Brian(BQC or BBC I think) hooked me up with like 45 females & 15 males all are adult, then a lot of nymphs for around $50 shipped. You can get smaller numbers for a bit cheaper. I wanted the way I went because I had about two months to get them going before I got a lot of scorpions.

Just a FYI, if you breed roaches, stick with B. Dubia as they're the best choice. Feed off additional males as they only cause problems if they start to overrun.

It's simple to house, and easy to maintain versus crickets.

Yeah please send me the link, I don't know where to get these online. I'm definitely interested in trying them out. I will feed a few to my scorps to see if they eat it before I decide on breeding them.

i feed mine everything!!but by far they love crickets then red runners then dubia then mealworms...cricket FTW

Javey, PM me and I'll give the guy a call in the meantime, he's located in PA so it's right near you.

They will eat roaches, trust me, many places sell them but many places are also way overpriced for what you'll need.

Javey wrote:

Haha, my mom would flip out if she sees me breeding roaches

haha i bet, i have a few crickets runnin around my kitchen lol

Oh Bex, I'm not sure if you saw this, I found this while doing a quick research.
I found a youtube video and photos on another forum that shows how to breed the roaches or more of less how it is.

Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT7vXo0r9k
And here are the photos: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=463

I hoped it helped.

wow thanx i like the pics of that guys on arachnoboards looks nice and tidy, deffo gonna have to get one going, will save money in the long run

I've fed my Emperors Crickets, Meal Worms and lizards. I've never given them dried/frozen bugs... I saw a cockroach the other day and tried to catch, he was lightning fast though ;]

That's a killer setup. I've been considering roaches too, specially with my 2 growing beardies, I'm buying crickets like crazy.

Roaches are my #1 choice way better than any other feeders