Substrate Question

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie here to the scorpion forums, just joined up because I'm starting to develop quite a fascination with scorpions! Right now, I just have a pair of Hoffmannius spinigerus (stripe-tail scorpions)...I kinda picked them up on a whim last year, and for being dinky little things, I actually like them quite a bit! I'm starting to think about picking up a second species sometime soon!

Anyway, my question is about substrate for my current pair. Right now, they're on straight sand. They seem to be doing fine, they dig and climb on rocks and do normal scorpion things. I've just been wondering if there was something more suitable though....I've been thinking about mixing sand with something like coco fiber to make the substrate more 'fluffy' and stable for their digging. Or, is there some other mix you guys use or would recommend?

V. spinigerus does good in most types of environment. They don’t really like it bone-dry like but moisture will cause mycosis. Your idea of 50/50 sand/coco fiber is actually my recommendation. Maybe even occasionally drop a little bit of water in the coco to raise humidity or offer a bottle cap of water. Ohhh..and welcome to the forum!! You started with a great species.

Best of luck with you my friend! Post some pictures soon as everyone here loves seeing pictures. And welcome aboard!

Thanks Abyss and Patcho!

Been trying to figure out HOW to post pictures, lol.

In the panel above the typing box, you'll see a button that says Host an image. Choose your picture, host it, then copy and paste the link for forums in the box.

Welcome!

Ok, I think I may have this figured out now, lol.

Here are my pair, Mack and Molly...I question occasionally whether or not they are too chubby! Just how often and how much should they be eating? They are feeding well on Blatta lateralis nymphs.




And, hopefully you guys can shed a little light on this one...I haven't the slightest idea what on earth she is doing! I've never seen either take up this position before. She's lifted her rear end up on the glass so that she is 'sitting' on top of the heat mat...it was also odd because I was re-arranging things in here last night, all the room lights were on and I was moving about a lot, two things that normally keep these guys under cover. I accidentally spooked her once and she retreated under the rocks, but she returned to this position a few moments later.

She is probably gravid and is getting heat for her babies. Does she also drink much?

Really?!! That would be awesome if she were gravid, I'd be thrilled to see baby scorpions! I'll have to start watching her much more closely...I can't say that I've ever actually seen either of them drink...but I always keep a small dish of water in there. I'm not in here all that often after lights go out, but often if I do pop in during the evening they are out wandering around...I keep this room closed off from the rest of the house to keep it nice and warm in here for the various inverts! I think I may be sneaking in here in the dark a little more often to see what they are up to!

Is there a way to confirm whether or not she may be gravid? If she is, does she need to be separated from her tank mate?

Here you are, drink your fill of knowledge.

http://allscorpionarchives.forumotion.com/t15-how-to-tell-if-your-scorpion-is-gravid

Patcho, thank you so much for that link....fascinating! I can already tell I'll be spending a ridiculous amount of time reading through previous postings on this forum! I wish I had found this place a little sooner!

That was my same reaction.

welcome aboard!

i wanted a spinigerus myself but only males were available for sale so i didnt buy it anymore

great scorps btw

exoticvirus wrote:

welcome aboard!

i wanted a spinigerus myself but only males were available for sale so i didnt buy it anymore

great scorps btw

Why not ?

Welcome! Awesome first choice of scorpions.

WELCOME! Neat scorps too!

well i kinda have a thing for female scorps. they tend be larger in size as well as fatten themselves quickly due to their superb appetite

exoticvirus wrote:

well i kinda have a thing for female scorps. they tend be larger in size as well as fatten themselves quickly due to their superb appetite

I second that!!