03/17/2022
Keeping Temperate Desert Scorpions in a Proper Environment
Throughout the world, the vast majority of desert regions exist in the temperate regions of the world with rare exception, between 30° and 50° latitude.
Desert scorpions, such as Hadrurus, Scorpio, Androctonus, Leiurus, and countless others, live in deserts in which summer daytime highs can reach well over 100°F, and the surface can reach 10° to 20°F above the ambient temp on sunny days. In these hot environments, scorpions and just about every other critter burrow to not only escape the heat but also to escape the dry environment. If you've ever watched a survivalist show, you'll know that you can dig to get cool and on many occasions to find water; scorpions are the same. If you've ever been in a cave, well there you go.
All of the genera above live in temperate zones, meaning they do experience cold or cool winters and may brumate (similar to hibernation, but can be active during warm spells). Hadrurus scorpions in particular are known to dig extensive burrows over 10 feet long and 6 feet in vertical depth! Even 6 inches is more than 20°F cooler than the ambient temperature in the heat of the summer. In the winter, temps in a burrow are warmer than outside. During a freeze recently I tested a foot down and read 56°F (I live near Tucson and have Hadrurus arizonensis on my property).
Tropical species, on the other hand, experience roughly the same temps year round and may need a heater year round. But never heat above 95°F, and always allow a nightly cool period (have the heater switch off before sunset).
So the best advice, particularly for Hadrurus, Smeringurus, Stahnkeus, Paruroctonus, and other desert species:
No heater in the winter, keep them cool. They likely won't eat, either, so only offer food if you see them out and about.
If you feel you need a heater, an adhesive pad style is recommended and place it at a far end, outside (of course), and not reaching beneath the soil. This ensures the scorpion has a temperature gradient to find its happy place. If it wanders around constantly trying to climb the walls, it may be too hot, especially if doing so opposite the heater. Make sure you have a thermostat and do not let it get above 85°, definitely not above 90° (only for rock dwelling types like Smeringurus vachoni, Stahnkeus spp, Vaejovis intermedius, some Androctonus, Buthus, and Centruroides, etc.), switching off before sunset, then on about 10am. (I personally do not have heaters on any of my American scorpions.)
Humidity:
Proper humidity is imperative for a scorpion's health and for shedding/molting/ecdysis.
Ambient humidity in deserts ranges from about 10% to 30%. In the American Southwest, particularly in the Sonoran Desert, we have a Monsoon that lasts from July to September. Almost every afternoon has rain. Humidities are much higher and we get most of our annual rainfall then, so burrow humidities will be extremely high, over 70%. During the rest of the year, over 50% in burrows.
Keep water in your enclosure, clean it daily or at least every other day. Put rocks in it so they can climb out if necessary. Even though scorpions do get a lot of their water from their food, they still drink when thirsty.
Lightly mist twice a week, heavily in late summer, but keep it clean to prevent mycosis (fungal infections that appear as black spots). I use distilled or purified water to prevent white spots on the glass.
Hadrurus are found in nearly every desert habitat, from sand dunes to rocky hillsides, to rocky roadcuts. Hadrurus spadix is known to inhabit vertical crevices in rock walls and cliffs, like in the sandstone areas in Utah and northeastern Arizona. At any rate, provide a deep substrate suitable for constructing burrows. You may notice burrowing scorpions will place their free hand in the substrate after subduing prey. They are looking for substrate soft enough to burrow in, strong enough for the burrow to not collapse.
Never waste your money on a juvenile or subadult Hadrurus. They are notorious for not shedding in captivity unless conditions are absolutely perfect and left alone. Others, such as Smeringurus mesaensis, readily burrow in captivity. Adults have been known to live 20 years.
We live in a technological world. In just seconds we can see the temperature, rainfall, and other climate records from anywhere on the globe (yes, it's a globe. I really hope we have no Flat-Earthers among us!). Always buy from a reputable dealer/vendor, there are many in this group, including myself (shameless plug). We pride ourselves in providing healthy specimens AND accurate species identifications and care sheets, including in many cases exactly where the specimen came from. Buying from most pet stores will get you none of this, and some vendors in shows are also clueless.
Do your research on the vendor first.
