Gravid?

GS wrote:

I agree with the rest on the change of substrate.
Hmn.. I wonder how we overlooked the substrate issue in the beginning..

Spyrel wrote:

She eats about 5 med/large crickets a week.

The "substrate" is just aquarium gravel. I read recently that that was not good for the scorps but I've got several hides in there and some sheet moss for them to burrow in if they want (they never seem to use it). I've had the male for 6-7 months and I got the female over a month ago. They both seem to be doing really well. Do I need to change the substrate? I'm not a big fan of Coco Soft for aesthetic reasons, but I want to keep my little guys happy and healthy.

He did ask but no-one said anything, appologies Spyrel i even must have missed your question there too!

I moved the male to a new enclosure as soon as I saw that she had begun to give birth. He seemed pretty terrified of her and is much happier in his new bachelor pad. Didn't have any coco soft or potting soil on hand, so he is on a substrate of sheet moss.

The female and babes I'm gonna leave where they are for now. She's become very territorial now that she has started to give birth, and I don't want to stress her out. The humidity is not a problem as I keep a layer of water beneath the gravel which keeps the enclosure at a constant 80% humidity. I don't think she's overly stressed in there and she has been able to "burrow" in the gravel to some extent. She actually successfully excavated a tunnel in the gravel that connects the two hides, so she can go from one to the next without being exposed (rather clever of her if you ask me). My instinct is to leave things be at this point, at least until the little scorps are ready to fend for themselves.

In the last 24 hours three more scorplings have appeared. How long does the birthing process usually take? When will the scorplings have their first molt?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will continue to update.

SHES GONNA BLOW!!!!

My adult male is not doing well in his new enclosure. He seems very stressed. I'm not sure what to do for him.

On a more positive note, there are at least 15 scorplings now. This is day 4 and she's had several since this morning. How long will this go on?

as soon as they come off her back, put them in the viv the male was in, then put the male back. it would be hmm, how to word this. it would be better to lose some unexpected babies, then to lose a male that you bought and was happy.. still, a change of substrate to coir would help.
ps* is it lose or loose?

loose

thanks bex.. i was not getting sleep over it.. just sitting, knees up, rocking.

What makes you think he is stressed? what kind of behavior changes is he showing?

The male didn't make it. He had been much less active than usual. He wasn't using the hides. He would sit in the open curled up. Before I removed him from the original enclosure he was staying as far away from the female and babies as possible. I'm not sure what else I could have done for him. I pulled him out of the cage as soon as I realized that she was giving birth.

Could it be possible that she critically injured him before you had the chance to take him out?

I wondered that myself. I didn't notice any injury, but it definitely seems possible. Would he die if she stung him?

Highly possible

Spyrel wrote:

I wondered that myself. I didn't notice any injury, but it definitely seems possible. Would he die if she stung him?

If i'm not wrong, a scorp should be "immune" by the venom from an identical specie. (It would be great if anyone can provide greater insights in this)

(In this senario of Emps) Chances are, death occurred from territorial fight between males or a defensive prego female Vs a male in her vicinity is probably due to the injury caused by the intensive struggles/ damaging grips of the pincers(chelas). An exhausted party, will sooner or later give in when he/she is consistently overpowered and has nowhere to retreat from the confrontation..

GS wrote:

If i'm not wrong, a scorp should be "immune" by the venom from an identical specie. (It would be great if anyone can provide greater insights in this)

Insight, no, but I can back you up that this is indeed the case. The only exception is if the sting were delivered directly into the central ganglion (as has been observed in some cannibalistic species).