To molt or not to molt? That is the question...

Hey guys!

I have been the happy owner of a 4th/5th instar Leiurus Quinquestriatus since the 17th of november! Back then it was clearly in premolt, but now a month later it still hasn't molted!

Here is some pics I just took:





It hasn't been interested in food, which I also saw as a sign, but then today it has eaten a cricket (the one in the picture)

So guys: HOW LONG? Anyone take a guess from the pictures...

Thanks!

I don't see any signs of tergites through the intersegmental membranes, so I'm guessing it will be quite a while before you see a molt.

Are you absolutely sure it's not an adult? The first picture almost looks like I can see embryos . . .

Mr. Mordax wrote:

I don't see any signs of tergites through the intersegmental membranes, so I'm guessing it will be quite a while before you see a molt.

Are you absolutely sure it's not an adult? The first picture almost looks like I can see embryos . . .

do you know the sex of it? ( i dont think i even remember how youre supposed to tell the difference in male and female)
because like mike said, it almost kind of looks like embryos on the 1st pic...
not to mention i need to do alot of research and learn some things on this sp cause i want a desert (i can never remember if its mesic or xeric) sp, but i dont want hadrurus arizonesis (i dont know if i even spelled that right)
the thiught of owning one of the few most dangerous scorpions in the world is kind of fascinating me =)

WHAT? IT'S GRAVID?

Well, it was sold to me as 0.0.1 5th instar, but I figured due to the size it's maybe more of a 4th instar! it's only about 2inches and is supposedly able to get as big as 4inches?

Well too me it isn't really about owning a dangerous scorpion, but I think this one is one of the most beautiful scorpions there is and it just happens to be, not dangerous but sure, it's venomus!

I haven't sexed it yet though, figured it was too early!

Here is a picture with flash on it, maybe it can shed some light on it (get that? "shed some light" )...

Definitely premolt! I give it 3 weeks.

I'm gonna say premolt too.

Yea, I really don't believe it's gravid! It's too small still... Could be fun though! Isn't Leiurus Quinquestriatus the scorpion that gets the most babies?

I don't know if they get the most, but they sure do have alot of them. They can easily have 40 or 50 at a time and I've heard of them having as many as 80.

I've heard 100+ but that's maybe wrong?

René wrote:

I've heard 100+ but that's maybe wrong?

I've read that as well, but I've never actually seen it or personally known anyone who has. I'm sure it's possible though.

lol heyy i said almost...
do LQs get the black line up the back too when they become gravid?
because i was looking for that, but i didnt know if it was in all scorpions?

I'm not sure if they do! But it isn't pregnant.... As I said it's way too small!

lol well i learn something everytime i visit this forum...

They dont have the most. Im pretty sure the Bark Scorpions give most babies. So ive heard at least. Up to 140