Description
The Desert Hairy Scorpion belongs to the Caraboctonidae family.Origin :These scorpions are found in the Southwestern United States and in Northern Mexico.Size and Longevity :These scorpions range from 5 to 6 inches long, and their average life is 25 to 30 years.General Description :The scorpion does well in captivity but is aggressive and is always ready to sting. Like most scorpions, Desert Hairy Scorpion is nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and come out at night to eat.Habitat and Cage :Scorpions do not need much room because of their relatively small size. Desert Hairy Scorpion get along with other scorpions and can be housed together, but it is not recommended to have any more than 3 scorpions in one enclosure. A 2.5 to 20 gallon tank is sufficient housing depending on the amount of scorpions.Substrate of sand is most commonly used for this species. The terrarium should be set up so that the temperature is between 75°F and 90°F with a humidity of 55 to 65%. Using a low wattage bulb will help maintain the temperature and humidity of the enclosure as well. There should be enough hiding places in the enclosure so that there is at least one for each scorpion (more than one hiding place is recommended). Not providing adequate hiding areas can lead to stress and fights which can cause health problems and a shorter life span.A wide and shallow water dish is the optimal way to ensure the scorpion has the water it needs. The water should be changed daily to keep it fresh and free of dirt and other toxic things that may build up over time.Feeding and Handling :Young scorpions feed off of pinhead (baby) crickets while adults feed off of adult crickets. Scorpions will eat only when they feel hungry. It is a good idea to maintain a 2 to 1 ratio so there is always more food than scorpions in the enclosure. Scorpions will not eat dead insects, so any dead crickets in the enclosure should be discarded.Handling a scorpion is not recommended without the proper equipment such as foam-covered tweezers, a cup, or some other means of carrying it without being stung. All scorpions are venomous, but in most cases are not deadly. The sting is most often said to be just a little worse than a bee sting.
