Bug Gel or water?

I've only ever seen scorpions in my various exotics stores with the gel. (which is what I'm currently using)
However, while talking to another member on my Royal python forum, they were shocked and kinda raged about the fact they need water not gel, and told me it would never drink because it can only survive on water for liquid.. I've clearly watched my guy eating/drinking/consuming the bug gel on more than one occasion without difficulty or bad reaction.

What are your views / opinions / experience / knowledge / advice ???

I use a shallow water dish. You never find gel out in the wild therefore it is perfectly acceptable

For my feeders such as my crickets and dubia roaches I use the water gel and it works great. For my scorpions I use just water in a shallow water dish. In my opinion I prefer water for my scorps just because I don't have a lot such as my crickets and roaches drinking from it. The gel seems to last longer for my feeders. As using it for a scorp. I don't really see any problem because the way I see if a cricket can drink so can a scorp. All it is is basically the same substance but in gel form. I have also found that it is easier to manage for my feeders because they would dirty up the water quickly and with the gel it is easier to discard and any dirty gel just throw out and with a few scoops you ready to go. So in my opinion both would work.

I agree with the feeder aspect kale

Kale wrote:

For my feeders such as my crickets and dubia roaches I use the water gel and it works great. For my scorpions I use just water in a shallow water dish. In my opinion I prefer water for my scorps just because I don't have a lot such as my crickets and roaches drinking from it. The gel seems to last longer for my feeders. As using it for a scorp. I don't really see any problem because the way I see if a cricket can drink so can a scorp. All it is is basically the same substance but in gel form. I have also found that it is easier to manage for my feeders because they would dirty up the water quickly and with the gel it is easier to discard and any dirty gel just throw out and with a few scoops you ready to go. So in my opinion both would work.

+1 to everything Kale said.

Yep, also just use it for the crickets. Plus they're(crickets) dumb as a rock and will drown in just about any depth of water

Ahh ok. So the gel isn't a horrendously wrong option (obviously I understand they do not come across this in a natural living environment).
I'm not fussed about using it or switching to water, it was just what was recommended to me, as was told it would be more likely for the guy to drown in water. (Although his dish is only the size of a bottle cap at present). If experience has shown you that water is the better option between the 2, then I'm happy to discard it, as I don't keep feeders (don't really have the need), I'll just buy as and when's needed when I go down to the shop to stock up on snake feed.

Oh and here's a pic of the guy just for good measure

Nice looking Scorpio maurus. I think water is better for scorpions. It's also cheaper to fill up a small dish with water than it is to buy water gel every time you run out.

How much substrate do you have in that tank? Scorpio maurus love to burrow, so at least 4 inches is recommended.

Just wondering, do you know the proper care for you scorpion? I'm going to assume that it's your first one, so that's why I'm asking.

At £2 for 500ml, it's not expensive, so wasn't bothered about throwing it away and swapping to water.

That isn't a tank. It was the travel box he was transported in. He is in a large faunarium with plenty of substrate and a piece of cork bark to get under should he want to. Exactly the same as he had in his set up from the breeder but with a larger faunarium, rather than a small.

Yes I'm aware of the care. I questioned the bug gel because I never came across anything specifically when looking into them that stated it must be water, and as said before, when viewing others and what I'd seen in various exotic stores, gel had always been used.

it shouldnt need a water bowl should it? i would have thought as a desert species it would get all its water from its food.

I would not recommend gel for scorps or even feeders, it contains substances that give cancer, sure its biodegradeable, but that don't make it healthy

Jayde-225 wrote:

At £2 for 500ml, it's not expensive, so wasn't bothered about throwing it away and swapping to water.

That isn't a tank. It was the travel box he was transported in. He is in a large faunarium with plenty of substrate and a piece of cork bark to get under should he want to. Exactly the same as he had in his set up from the breeder but with a larger faunarium, rather than a small.

Yes I'm aware of the care. I questioned the bug gel because I never came across anything specifically when looking into them that stated it must be water, and as said before, when viewing others and what I'd seen in various exotic stores, gel had always been used.

Ah, Ok. I was just making sure.

_scorpio_ wrote:

it shouldnt need a water bowl should it? i would have thought as a desert species it would get all its water from its food.

Yes it is a desert species, but Scorpio maurus prefer higher humidity (60% to 70%) than most desert species. A water dish should always be available when keeping them. Just make sure the humidity does not get too high. As a desert species, they are still susceptible to mycosis.

Well, I've changed to water now, but did not realise that there could be cancer causing substances within the product.
I have the humidity sitting at 60 - 62% measured by a digital hydrometer, and with cooler temperatures dropping down through the substrate, with enough of a gradient to mimic the cooler temperatures they would seek when making their burrow deeper.

Jayde-225 wrote:

Well, I've changed to water now, but did not realise that there could be cancer causing substances within the product.
I have the humidity sitting at 60 - 62% measured by a digital hydrometer, and with cooler temperatures dropping down through the substrate, with enough of a gradient to mimic the cooler temperatures they would seek when making their burrow deeper.

For the feeders i would recommend fruits like oranges, apples, pears, that way they will get enough moisture and vitamins.

Jayde-225 wrote:

I have the humidity sitting at 60 - 62% measured by a digital hydrometer, and with cooler temperatures dropping down through the substrate, with enough of a gradient to mimic the cooler temperatures they would seek when making their burrow deeper.

Sounds perfect.