Thanks for your interest in our blog.

I have seen limpness in the tail and limbs in a number of emperor scorpions, even had vets try to work on such at the Bronx Zoo. Unfortunately, we know very little about the illnesses that affect invertebrates, and I have never been able to come up with any explanations. Age seems often to be involved – they likely survive longer under ideal captive conditions…as many in the trade are wild caught, you may have an elderly animal on your hands.

As for breeding, you can use 1 male and multiple females as long as they have plenty of room and a deep substrate; while they usually get along, there is always the chance of aggression; best to buy a group that has been living together. Also, if a female gives birth, it would be best to remove the non-breeding animals and leave her in the tank, so another large enclosure may be needed. Multiple males sometimes work out, but I wouldn’t recommend it – fighting can break out even after a time of peaceful co-existence.

Sorry I could not be of more help with your ailing animal.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Glad to hear you have a pair that is getting along; females are generally heavier than males. Its often hard to tell when they are carrying young, although large clutches will make the female swell much more than might be expected from eating. I hope it works out and you wake to find youngsters soon,

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Please see my earlier post. As for how to breed them – often they will reproduce without an external stimulus once they settle in. You can encourage them by providing extra food and, especially, variety. Wild caught insects are especially useful. Some folks have experimented with drying them out a bit for 2-3 weeks, and then spraying heavily
every day, in imitation of a rainy period. It’s not clear if this is effective, but it may be worth a try. If you can find out where they came from, research weather patterns there and try to imitate these (on a scaled down version!) in the terrarium.

I hope you are soon caring for some scorplings….

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Females are usually a bit heavier and larger than males, so their sizes will not be a problem. Its preferable to give them 6 inches or more of substrate in which to burrow – keep it semi-moist; you can mix in some soil if need be, so that the burrows will keep their shape. Also provide several cork bark hiding spots – always good to give them opportunities to avoid each other, should one become aggressive.

Males sometimes fight, so add another female, but watch them carefully as the 2 already there may be territorial – groups sometimes get along, but they need to be monitored. They usually do a circular “dance”, locking claws, before mating, but this most often occurs at night; a night viewing bulb may help in observing them after dark.

Gestation varies, so it is hard to predict births – stress, temperature and other factors affect the timing of the birth. Best to remove the others if a female does have young, to avoid predation.

Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Sorry to say I didn’t see the movie…I’ll keep it in mind and will get back to you if I can make an ID.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog and the kind words.

It sounds like you’ve done quite well with them, glad you have the chance to start again. Unfortunately, I was writing based on experiences with scorpions years back, in both my own and the Bronx Zoo’s collection. I’m not keeping any at the moment.

Hatari Invertebrates is a good source; they take great care and, if you inquire, may let you know the source of their animals. I sometimes get calls from folks looking to place youngsters – I’ll be sure to let you know should that occur.

Good luck and welcome back to scorpion keeping; please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.