tips please.

I will be getting a L. quinquestriatus in the next few weeks, I've had my 5 emps for a while now and want to upgrade to an awesome desert species. I've read the care sheet on here for them, but any other tips would be great.

That's a hell of a jump. I'd be tempted to say go for something different before a L.Q.
There are loads of desert species that look and act a lot better than L.Q. that are a better stepup from emps. They'd give you a chance to get used to the speed difference. You REALLY wanna watch you dont get tagged by L.Q.

There's a bloke on here selling Centroides species--IMO FAR better animals.

You realize you will need a licence for an LQ right?? They are a very HOT species!

Yea, thats quite a leap from one of the least venomous scorps to the second most deadly scorp with many recorded fatalities. If they are already on their way make sure you double tank them and have a very long pair of tongs.

If they aren't on their way I would reconsider a somewhat less potent scorp like centruroides, hottentotta, rhopalurus, etc of about a 3/5 venom rating before you go for one of the most dangerous.

And bex, if he's in the states, he doesn't need a licence for any species of scorpion, and I don't think any tarantula either just like Canada. The perks of living here

ah yeah its prly New Hampshire America isnt it , i appologise just saw Hampshire and was off lol

but yeah still massive jump dude!

Thanks for the info. Will probably check out the other species. I want a communal setup with a species that is fun to watch hunt and kill.(stinging their prey)

nice catch on the location:)

would you recommend the same about a Smeringurus mesaensis ???

May I recommend Centruroides exilicauda, the Arizona bark scorpion. I had a mess of these awesome little beasts. They are easy to care for and do well communally, fast and aggressive when hunting, and are about a three on the venom scale. As soon as the lights were out they just exploded all over their tank searching for food. They are a smaller species reaching a maximum of three inches. Most aren't even that large. They may be hard to find though...

Kenthebugguy.com has Mesobuthus martensii for sale in groups of ten right now for eighty dollars. They are also communal, though I have no personal experience with this species. They seem pretty awesome though, and look like a good introduction to the world of Buthids.
People in China eat them ha ha.

I guess I should also mention that even though these scorpions probably won't kill you, you still don't want to get tagged. Do not handle them!!

Also, the Smeringurus mesaensis don't seem to be very communal. Fun though...

I agree with the rest on the progression of venom scale and the friendly peeps above has given several great choices indeed

For deserts, i'm sure there are quite a few ideal choices for you that falls under venom scale of 3 and actively sting their prey during hunting.

Personally, in terms of easy upkeep, massive stinging actions in hunting and chances of communal setup, i would recommend H.Hottentotta. (Most would recommend communal as adults)

I've 3 setups for my H. Hottentottas:

a) 21 in individual enclosure, from 2i (6i currently)
b) 63 in communal setup, from 2i
c) 30 in communal setup, from 2i with their scorp mum

They are furious eaters since 2i, but you have to be prepared of the multiplications in numbers!

I agree, I love my H.hottentotta, plus they are parthenogenic
They demolish their prey, darn near put their telson straight through their bodies.

Streettrash wrote:

Kenthebugguy.com has Mesobuthus martensii for sale in groups of ten right now for eighty dollars. They are also communal, though I have no personal experience with this species. They seem pretty awesome though, and look like a good introduction to the world of Buthids.
People in China eat them ha ha.

M. Martensii is a really fun species to watch, they are small though, but they are extremely communal (mine actually share the same hide, and just lay one over another without any aggression whatsoever), they sting their pray and breed very easily. They also like to climb so you could have a nicely decored encloure with branches etc.

Mine are also out quite often, most of the time, one of mine stays out of the hide the whole day, just kind of basking under the IR lamp. In the evening the others come out a well. These guys are also quite fast.

Definitely a species I would recommend as an introduction to buthids.

I've looked at the species you've all posted. Thinking about the C. Vittatus. What would be a good introduction to the desert species?

C. vittatus are awesome colony species, they are one of the species i'm hoping to get a few dozen of when I get a bigger place.

M. Martensii and H.hottentotta are my desert species picks

Ok was thinking about C. Vittatus. After looking up Smeringurus mesaensis and a few care sheets I think this is what I'm going to get. I know they aren't communal but from what I read they are a good intro to the desert species. May get the C. Vittatus as well depending on space.

Chrome wrote:

C. vittatus are awesome colony species, they are one of the species i'm hoping to get a few dozen of when I get a bigger place.

M. Martensii and H.hottentotta are my desert species picks

H.Hottentotta's sting does pack a bigger punch than M.Martensii, right?

Yeah but generally rated at around the 3 out of 5 mark I think.
Thing is, dont put fingers near it and it doesn't matter how big a wallop they can give.

Peloquin wrote:

Yeah but generally rated at around the 3 out of 5 mark I think.
Thing is, dont put fingers near it and it doesn't matter how big a wallop they can give.

Well said!

Lol, good way to put the things.
The reaon I was asking though, was because I really like this species, but I don't think I want anything more toxic than the M.M's for the moment

I am soon running out of space though, so I might have to start rethinking my tanks to optimize space

what are desert hairys rated at is it 2 out of 5?

Usually they are put as a 2 yeah. Mine are living together with no problems at all so far.
Not witnessed any mating evidence but not witnessed any aggression either.

+1, in all sources I've seen they're a 2, I think LD50 was 168mg/kg or something like that.

ive just been reading up on various species toxicitys and it says for C.gracilis that theres can range from 2-4 out of 5 depending on where they are from, is this the same for other species at all?

Quote - The venom toxicity of this scorpion is moderate to significant. When placed on a scale from 1-5, where 1 is mildly toxic venom and 5 is extremely toxic venom, it is a 2 when originating in Florida, but a 4 when originating in Central or South America.

seems weird that one species can be so different and wonder how this happens? does anyone know anything about this?

I've read similar things about Buthus Occitanus, where the ones from europe would just give a painful sting but the ones from africa could actually give a fatal sting. I think the SW european B. Occitanus (spain and portugal) was recently updated to Buthus Ibericus though.

would it be possible to house Centruroides sculpturatus and Centruroides vittatus together?