The habit of shying away from spiders and squealing at the sight of them does not contribute to a friendly attitude towards them. And the ominous cinematic scenes with scorpion attacks and people dying in agony have created a truly murderous reputation for them. At best, people are tolerant of them - they say, God's creature has the right to exist … Few people will be able to convince that imperial scorpions are creatures that are beautiful and interesting in their own way to observe. However, many around the world keep them, and highly recommend friends to follow their example.
Why choose the "emperor"
To be honest, not only imperial scorpions live in the homes of arachnid lovers. Experienced fans have a variety of representatives of the family. However, these are the features that most often give preference to them:
- Contrary to popular belief, more thanthousands of species of scorpions are dangerous for people, only about 25. Of course, they are all poisonous - but you can expect serious consequences from a few. Among these "harmless" - Hadogenes, Hottentotta, Heterometrus and the imperial scorpion Pandinus Imperator.
- This type of arachnid is the largest, which is reflected in its name. Adults can grow up to 20 centimeters. This makes it much easier to monitor them. In addition, these creatures are rather slow, which also favors "peeping".
- Imperial scorpions are not aggressive. This reduces the risk of attack - only females with babies behave unfriendly and wary.
- Compared to other species, the "emperor" can be called quite unpretentious. In nature, he sometimes goes without food and drink for several days. And the deterioration of living conditions does not kill him immediately - he hides when the temperature drops, becomes lethargic, but can hold out while you repair the heating.
Terrarium equipment
If you are interested in the emperor scorpion, the contents begin with choosing a home for him. The minimum size of the aquarium is 35x35 centimeters (if you limited yourself to one or two individuals). Wall height - at least 15 cm; too high are simply not needed, since scorpions do not climb smooth walls and hunt only in horizontal planes. From above, the terrarium is covered with a mesh or plastic with ventilation holes. In the landscape, shelters are obligatory: large pieces of bark,halves of small clay pots, artificial hollows. Lighting is not particularly necessary - the imperial scorpion remains a nocturnal creature at home, and tries to hide from bright light. However, some attach an ultraviolet or red lamp solely for aesthetic reasons: in their rays, the pet glows mysteriously. Most scorpions are solitary. Little of! Territory fights to the death between them are common. The black imperial scorpion is an exception in this regard, it is desirable to keep it in small "flocks" or at least in pairs.
Litter required
The bottom of the terrarium will certainly be lined with moss, peat or potting soil from the tropics. You can use tree bark, wet vermiculite or coconut flakes. The bedding layer is at least five centimeters, the imperial scorpions dig shelters in them. The litter should be constantly damp, but not wet, so that mold and rot do not appear. For the same purpose, it changes 3-4 times a year.
Comfortable temperature
Imperial scorpions feel good in the range of +20-30 degrees. In our homes, such stability is not observed, therefore, a constantly working thermal mat is laid under the bottom of the terrarium. It will dry out the litter substrate, so its moisture content must be carefully monitored.
Tropical rains
Humidity is necessary not only for the laid substrate, but also for the "emperor" himself - in his homeland it regularly pours from the sky, inHe needs the same in your home. Special devices are not required, a fairly ordinary spray gun and regularity. It is necessary to spray both the soil and the inhabitants of the aquarium every day, but without busting, so that puddles do not stagnate, and condensate does not flow down the walls.
There should be a drinking bowl in the terrarium - imperial scorpions drink all the time, they also take a bath in it. The frequency of "sprinkling" is reduced to two to three times a week in early September, when the rainy season ends in the animal's homeland.
Menu for scorpion
You don't need to feed these arachnids daily. Adults eat no more than twice a week; the younger generation - three or four times. However, you should not hesitate to feed: with a lack of food, they can feast on each other. Imperial scorpions are not prone to overeating and obesity, so to determine the amount of food, it is enough to watch them a couple of times and draw conclusions. The basis of the diet is insects and worms. Adults easily devour a mouse or a lizard (it is better to kill them in advance - scorpions eat the victim alive, and why watch someone suffer?). Usually the food is stacked in a saucer, but some prefer to hand feed the pet.
Male or female?
Imperial scorpions readily breed in captivity. If you want to get offspring from them, bring a couple together. Usually the gentleman is seated next to the lady. To determine who is who, when buying, you will have to compare the purchased specimens: the males are smaller, their tail is longer and narrower; scallops onthe abdomen is larger in size, and the teeth of these "combs" are longer. Do not trust yourself - ask directly in the store or take a connoisseur with you.
Marriage and post-wedding chores
To stimulate sexual interest in a looked after couple, it is enough to create the illusion of a rainy season for two weeks, that is, spray the dwellings twice a day (but with a smaller volume of water so that mold does not appear). The courtship of the "emperors" is very impressive, but it is rarely possible to observe them, since they occur in the dead of night. On the other hand, many scorpion breeders saw the gestating female: future offspring are clearly visible through the abdomen. It is advisable to put her in a personal apartment for the period of "pregnancy". As a mother, a scorpion is very caring. She does not begin to eat until all the offspring are fed. She kills food and serves the nymphs on chelicerae and claws, and until they acquire an “adult” color (scorpions are born white), she wears them on her back.
You can separate the young from the mother when they get off her and start an independent life. That's when you can give a friend (or enemy) an exotic gift: an imperial scorpion, the price of which starts at two thousand rubles, will quite pass for a valuable surprise with a hint.
Caution is paramount
Despite the fact that the “emperor” cannot kill or seriously poison a person, his safety is very relative. The poison they release into the wound can cause allergies. And the process itself can not be called pleasant. Therefore, having decided to “cuddle” a pet, you should make sure that he does not mind. The fighting position is a clear warning of a disinclination to communicate. Do not make sudden movements - a frightened scorpion will answer instantly. It is better to give him a hand so that he climbs it himself, or transplant it onto his hand, taking the tail with tweezers with soft paws.
