Hadogenes spp. (Flat-Rock Scorpions)

Substrate: dry coco fiber / sand mix

Humidity: low; no water dish is necessary and occasional misting will suffice for moisture

Temperature: Hot (80s-90s Fahrenheit)

Decor: crevice-like hiding spots (stacked slate pieces are ideal)

Preferred hiding spot: in small crevices, sometimes digging out a shallow scrape underneath a rock (does not burrow)

Communal: generally not, though some people have reported success if plenty of hides and prey are available

Temperament: in my experience, Hadogenes are shy, but defensive when disturbed

Venom: incredibly weak (LD50 reported at 1800 mg venom / kg body mass)

This genus is native to southern Africa, and as such like it dry and toasty. They are among the slowest-growing scorpions, and as such can easily go for long periods without food. Small crevices are ideal hiding places considering their flattened body shape.

I currently have one immature H. paucidens who rarely ventures out of its hide. When I lift the hide it readily displays its pinchers, and if disturbed, frantically runs around the container. The last time I held this specimen it scurried very quickly and almost mistook the cuff of my jeans for a hiding spot. I don't know how skittish the adults are, but after that experience I do not recommend handling.

Edit, March 2008: I have since acquired an adult pair, and the female displays the same temperament as my immature specimen while the male in incredibly calm by comparison. My guess is that either A) temperament varies from scorpion to scorpion, or B), the species is very skittish in nature and my male is simply an older specimen.

Edit, later in March: The male in question died, so apparently he was very old; the conclusion I draw is that this species if very skittish when disturbed and out of its hide.

An immature specimen:



© 2008 Michael Reitmajer, All Rights Reserved

I would like to add that if you are going to mist please only do a corner of the enclosure.

Eddy, Just thought id let ya know, i keep a shallow water dish for mine and she does drink out of it on occation aswell as misting the corner

yes, they are know drinkers LOL. But the water can raise humidity.

Mine is under a rock 95% of the time, very rare to see it out and also a picky eater. So when I saw it out in daylight the other day I knew he must of be after sum food, after a few attempts he caught and ate a cricket, it was the first time I ever saw it eat (ive had it for 3 months) and half way through the meal it went to the small water dish in the tank and drank.

Interesting, thanks! I just bought a female Hadogenus scopion (probably troglodytes) its not my first so i have some experience. Ive always used a water dish as well. Se may never use it but she may want to one day and it makes me feel better to give her one. I actually used just the coco shavings and no substrate accept for a sprinkling of what i think must have been potting soil over the top which was in the case that she came in. I figured maybe she could smell herself in the substrate she was in in the pet store and that may have made her feel more comfortable.