I got a free scorpion today!

Today at work a guy came in asking if he could leave some pets with us as he was leaving the state and unable to care for them. While on register an employee came up and asked if I wanted a free scorpion. I readily agreed always happy to expand my collection. Presented to me was a little pink box with one mature P imperator. I'm so ecstatic right now. I spent the rest of the day teaching the other employees about this beautiful species. He seems well cared for, big but not fat. My only concern is that it is completely unable to grip my hand. Most of my emps have no problem holding onto me but this one fell right off as he got to the edge. This happened twice, both times I caught him. The second time put his aculeus right into the side of my finger. Dry sting but even if it wasn't I'm not particularly worried about envenomation from one of these. Now for the questions!

1) Is his being unable to grip my hand an indication of a bigger problem? He won't be introduced to my colony for at least a few days if he's healthy.

2) I tried to sex him but was having trouble in the store getting underneath. I did see a pectine though. Shorter teeth a boy or girl?

3) How long should I quarantine him for and what potential threat would he carry to my three?

4) He was moving his chelicerae a lot when I first opened the container. I remember that meaning something but I can't remember what...

Thanks in advance!

The unable to grip sounds possibly like old age. I can't think of anything bad he'd introduce to your colony.

Shorter pectine teeth = female.

I have no idea what moving chelicerae means. Try offering it some water.

And w00t for free scorpion goodness!

Quote :

4) He was moving his chelicerae a lot when I first opened the container. I remember that meaning something but I can't remember what...

They just do that occasionally. Ever been kissed by one? LOL

~Abyss~ wrote:

Quote :

4) He was moving his chelicerae a lot when I first opened the container. I remember that meaning something but I can't remember what...

They just do that occasionally. Ever been kissed by one? LOL

Omg no! That sounds so cute. I wish he was still doing it so I could say I've been kissed by a scorpion!

feels like when you get "bit" by a milipede. Tingles. I has a scorp that tried to eat everything from my pecil to my finger.
-Eddy

congrats on your new Emp
I am sure your Emp will be fine in your care

Congratulations Andrew... How about a picture or two...

I've had the same experience Eddy has had, that of my emp trying to eat my finger tip.

As far as the dry sting / possible envenomation, unless you are allergic it should pass with local pain is all. There may be infection if the aculus was contaminated with poo or what not.

thoroughly check it for mites and or other problems before introducing it to your community but a day or two to see if acts right would be good. Rearrange the tank when introducing the new one so as to minmize territorial disputes...

GL

Hey does this look like too much of size difference? They have about the same body size but his chela are huge!

They're together... my male walked up to and they both went into a threat display with the new one stinging the air. I'm so nervous...

Separated now... I can't tell if they were fighting or mating but I got scared. Oh well maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

I cant see the pics but if your are talking about the emps I would try cleaning the substrate and then putting them back together. Dont worry they almost always initially start fighting.
-Eddy

Take Eddy's advice. Remove everyone from the tank, stir things up and rearrange hides, and then put everyone back in.

you can boil the substrate to. I'm not sure stirring things up will work as well but It has worked for me.
-Eddy

I did mix everything up. Changed the depth of the substrate, threw in tons of food, moved the hides, fake plants, etc. When I went to take him out though he was crawled on top of my two females. I guess that means they were getting along? It's so scary putting him with my babies.

It sounds like they're doing alright together. Emps have a tendency to dog-pile each other.

If there's a huge size difference, I'd keep them separate, but in the picture you posted it looks like they're close enough to not worry.