[Case Study] Molting concerns

Im hoping its just chubby. One of the questions I have actually asked the previous owner is when it previously molted but still waiting for a responce.

Hi Daniel,

Welcome to the forum!

I would guess that she could be 6.instar specimen and one more molt to adulthood.

For a more accurate estimation, the following would help:

1. A picture of her in brighter exposure so that we can see her telson's coloration clearly
2. A picture of her beside a size-comparison object (Ruler/coin)...

Have you checked out [ASA] Forest Scorpions' Caresheet?

Thanks for the quick replies

No I havent had a look at the care sheet yet. Its my next thing to do but im stuck in work at the moment so will take a look on my lunchbreak at it.

Once I get home tonight I will take a couple of pictures on my camera so they are better quality and brighter against something.

Work should come first.

No money = no funding for new additions

I had a quick read
My computer screen is tactically positioned so no one else can see it.

I have a feeling (not sure whether its good or bad) that I wont be stopping at the 1 Scorp now. Theres a lovely Adult Red Claw ive seen for sale in my area for £15

That looks as it is premolt

How long does it usually take to fully molt? I dont want to disturb her too much but her new set up is arriving tomorrow and want to get her moved in before she starts

Fully molted as in fully grown into adulthood?
Usually between 1-2 years from the day they are born. Their growth rate depends on how often we keep it well-fed and it's enclosure conditions.

As long as she's not acting lethargic and still does her exploration of the enclosure when the lights are off. She might not be close to her next molt yet.

You are right, do not shift her unnecessarily. Wait for her enclosure to be setup and do a one time shift.

Sorry I meant to how long does it take to molt. If you think shes getting ready to how long would it be until she has?
The care sheets Ive read dont actually tell you that information :/ Havent read the one on here fully yet though so it might be on there

Well ive only had her the one night and she was out early hours this morning when I left for work.

Once the stuff Ive ordered arrives tomorrow I will get it all set up and move her in once done. that will then be the last move.

To know when is the next molt for your specimen above. You may need to find out when was the last time it molted from the one who sells you the scorpion. Even if you have a date of it's last molt, you can only estimate the next.

Generally, the molt interval for young specimen is closer during juvenile to sub-adult stages (2 to 6.instar), they may range from 1-3 months.

For sub-adult to adults (6 to 7.instar), they may range from 3-5 months.

Of course, the data above and the molt intervals may be different between specimens and most likely affected by the way that they are kept. Hence, it may varies across keepers.

The actual molting process may range from 5 to 12 hours.
Excluding the "unlucky" ones who got stuck in a molt.

Thanks again. I will chase up the seller to find out when it last happened.
I will keep a close eye on it over the next few weeks

GS wrote:

For a more accurate estimation, the following would help:

1. A picture of her in brighter exposure so that we can see her telson's coloration clearly
2. A picture of her beside a size-comparison object (Ruler/coin)...

How are these pictures? I took loads and these are the best ones...

The first thing I grabbed was a rubber wedge for Glass Sliding Doors..



I checked her over quickly and to me it looks like her stinger is damaged (Maybe in transit to me) But it looks like its sort of snapped off? What do you think?

Great pictures. I love them.

I'm still think it's a 6.instar Pandinus imperator. Just one more molt to hit maturity at 7.instar. I can be wrong of course. If it's only a 5.instar, you are in for a giant specimen!

Keep her warm, her substrate adequately moist with some hides around the enclosure and a water dish filled at all times. Other details are in my ASA Forest scorpion caresheet.

Since she is this "FAT", I'll keep an eye on her feeding.
To avoid an attack from feeders when she is approaching/undergoing a molt, it is definitely not a great idea to leave feeders hanging around the enclosure if it was not immediately taken within the same day.

I would suggest an attempt on tong feeding a cricket every 7-12days. If she rejects the food or finds no interests in it, simply remove it and try again on the next interval. It simple means that she is not hungry. Nothing to worry about

Thanks.. The new enclosure should arrive today so ill get that set up tonight and get her moved in before she starts to molt.

Ive got a copy of the caresheet printed out so I can keep checking it easily.

What do you think about her stinger? Does it look OK?

Can you get some better pictures of it's stinger? Closer and from the side? That would help us help you more accurately.

Though, if there isn't anything oozing out around the area it should manage to live.

I was trying last night but she kept moving

Ill try again later

Hi All,

Ive had a message back from the seller.. She purchased this little one in 2009 and definately remembers 3 molts (possibly 4)..
She brought it in 2009 but didnt tell me what time of year..

Does this sound about right as an estimate looking at the picture? Do you think its more likely that it will be molting into adult?

Looks like it could molt a couple more times. Also, there is nothing wrong with the telson or metasoma as far as I can see.

If your seller has seen three molts (most likely not counting the very first molt which happened on the scorpion mom's back), your specimen should be a 5.instar now.

If she has seen four molts, it should be 6.instar now, so definitely at least a molt more.
After her next molt, you should be able to tell her exact instar.

Not to worry about her stinger, as long as she can defaecate. I don't see a problem there.
As you already know, she kills by crushing, seldom with a sting

Thanks GS..

I havent seen her for a few days but keep taking a quick glance in the tank to check but still no molt. Ill keep a close eye on here and let you know once shes done as well as a new picture

Well I checked on her tonight to find still no molt

Managed to get a couple of pictures of her though. Sorry for the poor quality only had my phone to hand

Well ive just found a nice little suprise..








I have put the old molt into a tub as I want to keep it as its my first ever one Not sure the best way to preserve it though

Thanks for everyones help

GS wrote:

Not to worry about her stinger, as long as she can defaecate. I don't see a problem there.
As you already know, she kills by crushing, seldom with a sting

+1

Even a buthid that can not crush the feeder with it's weaker chelae, can often manage with a slightly damaged telson. I've got a Mesobuthus that lost the tip of her aculeus to mycosis and she feeds with no problems. Takes her just a bigger effort to puncture the crickets exoskeleton

Daniel wrote:

Not sure the best way to preserve it though

I would just leave it air dry and then coat it with some type of lacquer to make it stronger. Just remember when handling it, that a dry exoskeleton is extremely brittle and very light (and can easily "fly" away).

Yeah it does get blown away easily

For significant molts that i kept, i put them in tiny toy display containers. As long as we do not drop them, the molts will most likely last for years.

By the way, beautiful specimen Daniel. Congrats!

Ive been watching this thread intently because I think its fascinating! But am I the only one that thinks this is kind of a horrifying process? I mean, its probably because Ive only had my scorp for about a month and never been around one that has just molted, but my goodness they look creepy when they first come out of their molt haha.