Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

Hi all, I have recently ordered a fairly decent start-up kit for a colony of Imperial Scorpians I have ordered. Now I have read all the books I can find on the subject but ultimatly it comes down to experience.

So to all you keepers of these fascinating creatures i'd like some advice from you, and hopefully some set up sugestions (and pics if you can).

I've been wanting these critters for ages but I don't know anybody who has them to seek advice from so any help you can give i'd be grateful for! Very Happy

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Vermis · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

I can't offer much about keeping scorpions communally - I recieved two young Heterometrus spinifer from Virginia Cheeseman just yesterday, for that purpose - but I can say that I've seen emperors described as bulletproof, and in my experience the comment isn't far from the truth. Very hardy, very forgiving, usually very hungry and docile. Though it can depend on personality. They're not recommended beginner's scorpions for nothing.

My setup isn't much - a ventilated lunchbox with moistened coir, a little mixed sand and a piece of cork bark. Most sources would probably recommend a water dish and I wouldn't argue, but I have to say my collection of tarantulas and scorps gets on fine without them.

I plan on moving mine soon, though. After it's last moult the lunchbox is starting to look a little cramped, and I've been thinking of getting another to try a communal setup myself, which will definitely need more space. Smile

So with emperors and spinifers, I'm also interested in any further responses here.

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

from what i've read it seems that introducing more into the initial group could result in canabalism, but this is only what ive read!

I have a 3' by 1' fish tank (the measurement is floor area), I have 8 coming.
thanks for the info!
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Beardies are the way!

Wish I were an invert!

Kioka · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

I would not advise doing so. A scorpion have a wide territorial range.

Vermis · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

Eh?

Er... it's relatively well-known that Pandinus, Heterometrus and some other scorpions can be kept communally.

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

Yer I have been told that by so many people, thats way I choose this species.

They will be my first scorpians so I wanted something that were relativley easy for beginers and the fact that they are so communal!

Any other advise Vermis would be great, what do you think of the tank area I have choosen for them?
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Vermis · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject:

I can only parrot advice from other sources, though. Smile

Most will say plenty of space and hiding places - one rule of thumb from an American book is 4-6 in a 20-gallon tank, but don't ask me what size a 20-gallon tank is. And then there are comments like this. 15 under the same piece of bark...

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

Yer just read the link, not sure if I would want that many ubder the same peice of bark, but I supose that if several hiding places have been made available to them but they still end up under the same peice then I guesss they must be ok!
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Beardies are the way!

Wish I were an invert!

sam.b · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

hi ive had 3 emp's for just over 2 years never had any probs keeping them together i have seen loads kept in together in a very large plastic tubs?my advise is as long as they each have a couple of hiding spots and are fed well then their shouldn't be too many probs
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