My Desert Scorpion Setup

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You don't need to use a daylight bulb in a desert setup, especially not a 125W bulb. You have no live plants that need the light and scorpions, being nocturnal, certainly won't benefit from it. A 25W IR bulb should be plenty to heat that size of enclosure.

the bulb is to simulate natural living of day and night cycle and provide better heat than some ole cheap red bulb the tank temperature will be 75 all year around even without a light

Here's my two cents:

Natural living would also provides an adequate amount of substrate for the scorpion to burrow during the day when the 125w bulb radiates the 3 rocks in the enclosure with photons from all spectrum of visible light, which could cause an excess of stressors for the scorpion.

As far as heat goes, there is no qualitative nor quantitative evidence to support your "theory". It is best not to produce information that, for all you know, is invalid. This is how poor husbandry becomes pervasive in the hobby.

I would say, based on scorpions lack of sensitivity to wavelengths within ~ 650-700nm, it would be best to provide an IR bulb to decrease any possible stressors you could be introducing by bombarding it with visible light from the higher energy wavelengths. Those ole cheap red bulbs actually work for this.

If you ever have any questions regarding scorpion husbandry, it is best to ask rather than assume. There are many members on this forum that are more than approachable that can really add some clarity to some of the more foggy topics of scorpions husbandry.

1)The the scorpion lives under the rocks/sand
2)The light is on a timer
3)I test the temperature in and around the tank with precision instruments
4)Not to be rude, so whats your point?

+1 to everything Envyizm and Shebeen have said.

GeoGeo wrote:

1)The the scorpion lives under the rocks/sand

Yes, but as previously mentioned, you have not supplied enough substrate to burrow, so the scorpion is almost completely exposed the the harsh light. Having the 125w bulb might be justifiable if you provided your scorp with ~ 8 inches of consolidated sand to burrow in.

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2)The light is on a timer

Pointless, unless the room has no windows and the room lights are always kept off.
I don't know about you, but in my house, the lights are turned on at around 7:00 A.M. and turned off at perhaps 11:30 P.M. and this changes little over the course of the year. So, having any additional visible light, even if it's on a timer, serves only stress the scorpion. At the very least these animals abhor bright light and condemning your scorpion to a life of perpetual glare is surely a rude thing to do to an animal that routinely hides in a dark burrow.
I suggest you re-read this portion of Envyizm's post:

Envyizm wrote:

I would say, based on scorpions lack of sensitivity to wavelengths within ~ 650-700nm, it would be best to provide an IR bulb to decrease any possible stressors you could be introducing by bombarding it with visible light from the higher energy wavelengths. Those ole cheap red bulbs actually work for this.

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3)I test the temperature in and around the tank with precision instruments

Okay, I'm assuming you could still do the same with an infrared heat bulb.

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4)Not to be rude, so whats your point?

You're blinding your pet to put it bluntly.

it LIVES UNDER the ROCKS BETWEEN the sand and the rocks it can see NOTHING do you realize how thick and dense those rocks are and how much sand i have in that corner?



Now I made it even darker for it so what would be the problem now?

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Scorpion19981000 wrote:

+1 to everything Envyizm and Shebeen have said.

GeoGeo wrote:

1)The the scorpion lives under the rocks/sand

Yes, but as previously mentioned, you have not supplied enough substrate to burrow, so the scorpion is almost completely exposed the the harsh light. Having the 125w bulb might be justifiable if you provided your scorp with ~ 8 inches of consolidated sand to burrow in.

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2)The light is on a timer

Pointless, unless the room has no windows and the room lights are always kept off.
I don't know about you, but in my house, the lights are turned on at around 7:00 A.M. and turned off at perhaps 11:30 P.M. and this changes little over the course of the year. So, having any additional visible light, even if it's on a timer, serves only stress the scorpion. At the very least these animals abhor bright light and condemning your scorpion to a life of perpetual glare is surely a rude thing to do to an animal that routinely hides in a dark burrow.
I suggest you re-read this portion of Envyizm's post:

Envyizm wrote:

I would say, based on scorpions lack of sensitivity to wavelengths within ~ 650-700nm, it would be best to provide an IR bulb to decrease any possible stressors you could be introducing by bombarding it with visible light from the higher energy wavelengths. Those ole cheap red bulbs actually work for this.

Quote :

3)I test the temperature in and around the tank with precision instruments

Okay, I'm assuming you could still do the same with an infrared heat bulb.

Quote :

4)Not to be rude, so whats your point?

You're blinding your pet to put it bluntly.

So you think in africa or maybe iraq they have the luxury of 80-90 degree weather and lighting softer than the sun without competition for burrows? Watch a documentary on how scorpions really live in the desert I see your age is 14 so you will have to look for information that is probably older than you.

This is interesting. I have been thinking about using standard 'daylight' bulbs for some of my scorpions to provide heat and also light to grow plants.

Providing the scorpion can escape the light in a suitable hide or burrow and the bulb is timed to a natural day/night cycle, replicating daylight hours of where the species is from, I don't see the problem. Obviously when the light turns off in the evening, either the ambient temperature needs to be warm enough or a heat mat needs to be used to provide the appropriate night time temps. for the scorpion.

The only problem I can see is that a 125w bulb seems a bit overkill for heating a small tank, but if the OP is recording the correct temps for the scorpion then fair enough. I'd just be worrying about how much it is costing you in 'leccy to heat one tank lol....

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I see your age is 14 so you will have to look for information that is probably older than you.

Advices can be either well noted with thanks or taken with a pinch of salt. To each his own.

But do avoid making statements such as the above.

Be nice, husbandry discussion is all for the good of our beloved pet scorpions.

Please continue

Any input/opinions from Mr GS about using standard bulbs for heating/lighting scorpion enclosures?

I remember seeing a stupidly profesional rack of naturalistic enclosures housing scorpions and also Latrodectus. They were all heated by halogen spot lamps (so, very bright) and I don't remember any report of problems associated with the bright light. It might have even been posted on here. I'll have a dig............

In the day, light penetrates through the window of my "scorpion room".

The windows are half open to enable ventilation and there's no direct sunlight hitting on any the enclosures.

The sun sets in the evening and i'm back from work, room is only lighted by Infra-red heat lamps when i need to feed them or view their night activities. Most of the room's area is dark, less the "breeders corner" where all the gravid mom's are basking under Infra Red heat lamps which are on throughout the night.

With just the above, it works (in terms of lighting/heating) for my breeding projects. It really boils down to what a keeper has in terms of time/resources to spare for his pet scorpions.

While i understand OP's choice of using a "daylight bulb" to simulate the scorpion's natural habitat, it might not be necessary for successful captive breeding. Maybe it's just me, I always fancy the simpler, direct, laboratory way of keep scorpions in captivity. As long as they breed. It's good enough

Ok, had a dig about in the show off your enclosure section. It seems a lot of people use lighting above their enclosures. Kejsers deserve a mention because a, they look awesome and b, all his enclosures have above tank lighting.

https://scorpionforum.darkbb.com/t11-show-off-your-enclosures kejser
https://scorpionforum.darkbb.com/t11p45-show-off-your-enclosures

And, next is hausers set up, which is equally stunning, really something to aspire to. He is using halogen spotlights to heat his enclosures.

https://scorpionforum.darkbb.com/t11p60-show-off-your-enclosures

As GS and others have pointed out, lighting a scorpions enclosure is not nescessary, an IR bulb or heat mat will be fine, but using lighting should not be a problem so long as a proper day/night cycle is created and the enclosure allows the scorpion to escape from the 'day light'.

wow very cool setups

GeoGeo wrote:

So you think in africa or maybe iraq they have the luxury of 80-90 degree weather and lighting softer than the sun without competition for burrows? Watch a documentary on how scorpions really live in the desert I see your age is 14 so you will have to look for information that is probably older than you.

Im going to jump in on this comment because I actually live in Africa. Firstly, there is NO competition for burrows! I have gone scorping in many areas of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Do you have any idea how large these countries are? I have witnessed how scorpions live in these areas and there is so much space in these areas for them to burrow that they dont have to "fight" for burrows.
Secondly, their burrows can reach depths of over a metre, so your few inches of LOOSE sand serves no purpose what so ever. That scorp will fry in heat that comes from a 125w bulb. I also use normal basking lamps for SOME of my scorps but these lamps are only 40w and their substrate depth is up to 20cm deep.
Thirdly, Scorpion19981000 is one of the most knowledgeable people on this forum.
Choose to ignore all the advice given to you by forum members at your own risk.

And why is there such a large waterbowl in there? Serves no purpose, only a death trap for a desert scorpion.

I was about to bring that up about the water bowl. That's certainly not nescessary, and will more than likely create a higher humidity than the scorpion requires. A sporadic spray and/or offering a water bowl is more than adequate.

Plus, I have to agree with shadowfoot here, Scorpion19981000 is certainly a very clued up lad when it comes to scorpion keeping. Age means nothing.

I agree that age does not equates to how knowledgeable a keeper is nor does it equates to how mature one can get.

Otherwise, that comment wouldn't come from a 27 year-old person in the first place

Truth speaks for itself, i think there's no need for us to "defend" Scorpion19981000 for a senseless claim.

Back to husbandry discussion.

I think everything has been said regarding the husbandry, some good advice was given. Its a take-it-or-leave-it situation at the moment.

shadowfoot wrote:

Scorpion19981000 is one of the most knowledgeable people on this forum.

+1

Actually, the kid kinda freaks me out at times with his wealth of knowledge, this is a compliment.

I agree with shadowfoot that this is clearly a take-it or leave-it suggestion type situation.

Geogeo,
You've obviously came from caring for diurnal species, which actually benefit from appropriately timed photo cycles.
I guess breaking that mind set is hard to do, even in the presence of good advice. Best of luck to you.

shadowfoot you clearly have no idea whats going on here or on scorpions except whats already in your head so i will enlighten you and the other a little.......IT IS NOT A BASKING LIGHT OR INTENDED TO BE.....PERIOD


PS:Discovery Channel has been around way longer than google and more than 14 years

shadowfoot wrote:

And why is there such a large waterbowl in there? Serves no purpose, only a death trap for a desert scorpion.

Not even a cricket will drown the way this bowl is designed

Whats your problem mate?

Scorpion19981000 Is just as intiligent if not more than you. I think you are feeling threatened because this 14 year old knows so much about scorpions?

And I will repeat myself: Age should not be a judgment of intelligence.

kfc223 wrote:

Whats your problem mate?

Scorpion19981000 Is just as intiligent if not more than you. I think you are feeling threatened because this 14 year old knows so much about scorpions?

And I will repeat myself: Age should not be a judgment of intelligence.

No not at all I think he knows a whole lot about scorpions but the the same time its a whole lot he might not know about nature in general. Basically the title says MY scorpion setup, I did not ask for advice from anybody.

One question. How long have you been keeping scorpions? I have been keeping scorpions for 6 years, you on the other hand cant even see that your scorpion isnt a Androctonus bicolor or even know its scientific name for that matter. Ignorant people like you make the world a very entertaining place indeed.