Zoo med excavator sand

How should I use it to make it easier for my dune scorpion to burrow in it? Should I wet the sand before I put it in, or should I wet the sand after the scorpion makes its burrow?

Thanks!

The scorpion can't make a burrow in it if you haven't properly set up the substrate first.

You'll need to mix it with sand and water, then let it dry before introducing the scorpion. Do a search on it, as there is plenty of info about excavator clay around here. Particularly in threads about enclosures for H. arizonensis.

I use it for all of arid scorps. mix it with water...dry out as much of the water as you can with paper towls. Take a spoon and create a cave. use a piece of cardboard to help structure the opening while its drying. takes a while to dry. 3-4 days if left inside. You can use a blow dryer to speed up the process. be patient though, water will continue to evaporate even after it looks dry, If you have a heat lamp/pad will cause a humidity spike. bad news for arid scorpions.

I read the other two topics I found using the search bar, but I'm still confused a little.

Wouldn't putting the wet sand inside the tank hurt the scorpion? I thought I was suppose to dry it completely before I put it in.

Thats what im saying...you gotta wait 3-4 days. how large is your setup?

Skroar wrote:

Wouldn't putting the wet sand inside the tank hurt the scorpion? I thought I was suppose to dry it completely before I put it in.

Seriously? This isn't a trolling attempt, is it? I said you have to let it dry before introducing the scorpion, and Mako said wait 3 to 4 days.
The scorpion has to live somewhere else temporarily while the enclosure with the excavator clay in it is being set up and left to dry...

It's a very simple process.....Mix excavator clay and sand together using the ratio guidelines found either with the excavator clay or by doing a search around the forums. Some people say 5 to 1 others say 10 to 1...It all depends on the specific product of excavator clay you've brought...Then add a small amount of water. The sand /clay doesn't want to be wringing wet, just damp. If in doubt make a small portion up the size of an apple, quick dry it using whatever method you prefer (hot air blower, warm cupboard or just left out in the sun) and when dry test it for hardness...The apple size portion wants to be able to retain it's shape when you pick it up and when slight pressure is applied you should be able to break the ball in 2 even(ish) pieces that retain their shape. If you have to use more than slight pressure to break it it's on the hard side..if it crumbles in your hand as soon as you pick it up it's to loose.
Once satisfied with your mixing ratio mix up enough to create a good deep layer (5-10 inches but can be more or less) in your enclosure. The deeper layer you make the longer it will take to dry out. If using a glass enclosure you can see the layer of sand/clay and follow it's drying time. Dry consolidated sand will be lighter in colour than wet.

Once it's all dry (it doesn't matter if the very bottom is not totally dry as long as there's a good layer of dry on top of it) you can place your scorpion in it's new consolidated sand (excavator clay + sand + water + drying = consolidated sand) kitted out enclosure........3-4 days drying is very optimistic but i don't know how you guys dry yours out...When i do it i have to wait usually upwards of 2 or 3 weeks.

As mentioned search H.arizonensis setups/consolidated sand/excavator sand for loads of threads that discuss this very thing.

Honestly, excavator sand is difficult to work with for that very reason that den and mako mentioned. Even after it looks dry water will continue to evaporate. But it's great for designing your set up. If you insist on using it keep it drying for at least a week and you can keep your scorp in regular sand in the meantime.

3-4 days worked for me...I do use a blow dryer to speed up the process. I also do not mix any sand in my mix.

Depends how hot it is in your house. I can see having to wait a week.

All I know is you have to be patient witht the stuff.