First Possible Molt or Issue...

I have a wonderful new Emp added to my collection 3 1/2 weeks ago. However, as my AFS was an adult when I acquired it, I've never had to experience a molt, or really any health issues at all.

Now, allow me to describe the situation...

Emp has sequestered herself in the burrow for about 3 days, and haven't seen her outside of it.
Last feeding was 5 days ago, and she ate 2 crickets, and left the 3rd alone until I removed it. She usually eats 4.
Tail/legs has turned a bit white, as if it was covered in fine dust.
She's not dead, as I have seen position movement (90 degree turns and whatnot in her burrow/hide)
I also havn't found any feces in the tank in 5 days, which is a substantial rise from once every 2 days.

I can't really get a picture without removing the hide, and I really don't want to stress her out by doing so.

Should I treat this as a molt (signs seem to point to yes), or just regular behavior? The changing colour of the tail and legs is what is freaking me out.

As such, I've kept the tank as normal, and ensured my humidity is a little bit higher than usual just in case. I've been treating this as a "wait and hope for the best, and that I'm overreacting" situation.

Any advice would be appreciated. Even if it is simply "Really Kerrby, another noob question? Geez." Although, I would much prefer constructive answers.

Quick update.

Just offered one more cricket in an attempt to get to the bottom of this, and she took it, but has taken x4 longer to eat it than ever before.
Now I'm just very confused.

Sounds normal! Scorps hide and go off feed,sometimesfor months.Thevcolor change probably means a molt is near,no need to worry as long as conditions are good.

Perfect. That's the exact answer I was hoping for.
Really it was just that odd colour change that had me spooked. Never seen that happen before.

Wouldnt worry about how much shes eating, my flatrock scorpion has eaten probably 2 locusts in the past year and abit? lol

Yeah, the eating is normal. I only bring it up as I was under the assumption that before a molt, they won't eat. But she's munching down.

Thanks though mate!

Do you use chlorinated water? Could have submerged itself in the water dish and so after drying off looks a bit white.

Bottled distilled Spring. I think it might be a calcuim buildup from that, as (after reading more carefully) the water has added calcium. I've now switched and I hope it all works out.

Another update, I went to clean her hut out, and afterwards her activity level increased, complete with attempts at climbing.

It's probably just acting weird, I know it sounds silly, but sometimes it happens and our automatic reaction is to assume there's something wrong and that also it's our fault, it's like they like to make us worry, maybe they have there own forum in which they discuss tactics to do this aswell as we have ours for trying to solve them? Lol

Kerrby wrote:

Another update, I went to clean her hut out, and afterwards her activity level increased, complete with attempts at climbing.

This is anl example of stress caused by you,try and keep the stress level down to a minimum it is dangerous for the scorp.They do notbneed cleaning very often if at all.A scorp in hiding is a happy scorp that is not using up his/her energy reserves.

Scott Land wrote:

This is anl example of stress caused by you,try and keep the stress level down to a minimum it is dangerous for the scorp.They do notbneed cleaning very often if at all.A scorp in hiding is a happy scorp that is not using up his/her energy reserves.

Had been about a month and 1/2 since last cleaning. Has to happen eventually as she has a habit of leaving legs and such that I miss sometimes.

Thanks though, I'll keep that behavior in mind for next time so I don't overreact.

Kerrby wrote:

Scott Land wrote:

This is anl example of stress caused by you,try and keep the stress level down to a minimum it is dangerous for the scorp.They do notbneed cleaning very often if at all.A scorp in hiding is a happy scorp that is not using up his/her energy reserves.

Had been about a month and 1/2 since last cleaning. Has to happen eventually as she has a habit of leaving legs and such that I miss sometimes.

Thanks though, I'll keep that behavior in mind for next time so I don't overreact.

Sorry if I sounded harsh as long as its kept to a minimum it won't hurt .

Dont stress out mate, spot cleaning is fine, mainly thier poop and left over food particles with say a pair of tweezers, without having to disturb it too much. This will stop mite population explosions. A full cleanout is hardly necessary, had an emp on the same substrate for over two years

Yeah, Basically I just needed to lift one of her hides (regretfully, it was the one she never leaves) in order to get a bunch of cricket legs.

No worries, I don't think it came off harsh, sorry if I sounded defensive.

I find it very surprising that my Hep. Spp is a lot less stressful than my emp. With the emp I tear my hair out, with my Hep I just roll with the punches.

Both Genre are very tough and as long as they are kept reasonably well(or better,ideal) they will live a long time.You are keeping them very well so no worrys!