Some interesting behaviors

I've been studying my scorpions behaviors since day one. And my findings are pretty fascinating.

One of my findings led me to believe that my scorpions actually like to be in the presence of each other. I used to have 4 hides in my enclosure (but since then I took two out and added a medium size piece of Zoo Med mopani wood), and after putting my scorpions back in the terrarium, I witnessed all 3 (I had three at the time) go in to different hides. The following day I was peeking in the tank, and found that they all moved under the same hide.

This happened again yesterday as well. I'm not sure why though, but all three scorpions moved from one hide, to another at the other end of the tank. And then I watched as they helped each other dig out their new home. It was absolutely stunning! I had no idea these creatures were so social! Just witnessing their collaborative effort to burrow, and make a new home under another log brings me great joy. It's like they've made a family.

They all probably chose the same hide because it has the best micro environment. If the hide has the best temperature gradient then they will tolerate each other.

I think you might be right. But it's still cool how social these animals are nonetheless.

shadowfoot wrote:

They all probably chose the same hide because it has the best micro environment. If the hide has the best temperature gradient then they will tolerate each other.

+1

In a way, they indeed make a collaboration, where they are social.
Nevertheless, I think you should always reman vigilant, because I also think this could be opportunistic.
It suits them so they comply with each other, and made it as pleasant possible.
Nevertheless they remain also driven by basic emotions, if something where to change, I think they could too.

But I think it's very sweet they made a family and I really hope it works out for you Patrick.
Also it is a compliment, your situation at that spot is probably the most optimal you provided, or they wouldn't cohabitate in this burrow I think.


Rock on bro


Take care,


Joey

Shakudo wrote:

shadowfoot wrote:

They all probably chose the same hide because it has the best micro environment. If the hide has the best temperature gradient then they will tolerate each other.

+1

In a way, they indeed make a collaboration, where they are social.
Nevertheless, I think you should always reman vigilant, because I also think this could be opportunistic.
It suits them so they comply with each other, and made it as pleasant possible.
Nevertheless they remain also driven by basic emotions, if something where to change, I think they could too.

But I think it's very sweet they made a family and I really hope it works out for you Patrick.
Also it is a compliment, your situation at that spot is probably the most optimal you provided, or they wouldn't cohabitate in this burrow I think.


Rock on bro


Take care,


Joey

Thank you Joey. By the way, you should put up a video of Leia!

I'll think about it;) she doesn't come out much, but I know she changes spots 2 or 3 times a day, because I check multiple times a day where she's at. She has eaten quite a bit in the short while I have had her, and the next time she feeds perhaps I can film that.
However, she hunts from her hide;) never out in the open, at least not that I have seen, I suspect she forages at night because I can see signs of it;)

shadowfoot wrote:

They all probably chose the same hide because it has the best micro environment. If the hide has the best temperature gradient then they will tolerate each other.

This is true but don’t underestimate their social behavior. I hear even in the wild some groups share burrows. I’ve witness this behavior too, I used to have a communal set up of 2 P.imperators and 2 H.spinifers. When given a heat pad, all 4 scorps would naturally gather around the closest hide to the heat source. If I were to take the heatpad away I would find the 2 H.spinifers always together in their own hide and the 2 P.imps also together in their own separate hide. Like you said it could be all de to the micro environment but in my opinion this kind of social behavior is uncommon in scorpions. Even other species that merely tolerate themselves like Centruroides. They don’t “work together” like emps.

Interesting info Ed. Thanks for sharing.