This is a specific care sheet for Malaysian forest scorpions (Heterometrus spinifer), for more in this genus see Category:Heterometrus.

The Malaysian Forest scorpion has many common aliases including the Giant Blue Scorpion, Asian Scorpion, Malaysian Giant Scorpion, Thai Black Scorpion, Thailand Forest Scorpion and is often confused with the true Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus).

Although the Malaysian Forest Scorpion is very similar to the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator) in shape and coloration, the Malaysian Forest Scorpion has a stronger sting than the Pandinus genera. The sting is said to equal that of a hornet. Additionally, Malaysian Forest Scorpions are known to be more territorial, though not as aggressive as the Asian Forest Scorpion. In the wild they usually live under logs and other natural debris. They are terrestrial animals, but may burrow to some extent. In the wild, they feed primarily on insects. Their venom is only slightly toxic, although some people may be more sensitive to it then others. When threatened, they rarely use their tail to attack. Instead, they use their large pedipalp, which is quite capable of drawing blood. Malaysian Forest Scorpions found in the wild are usually more aggressive then those raised in captivity, although many quickly loose their aggressiveness if handled frequently. They can be kept in small groups, although that is not suggested.

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Contents 1 Malaysian forest scorpion habitat 1.1 Substrates for Malaysian forest scorpions 1.2 Temperature for Malaysian forest scorpions 1.3 Humidity for Malaysian forest scorpions 2 Feeding Malaysian forest scorpions 3 Breeding Malaysian forest scorpions 3.1 Malaysian forest scorpion mating dance 3.2 Malaysian forest scorpion birthing 3.3 Raising Malaysian forest scorplings 4 Ailments 5 Moulting 6 See also

Malaysian forest scorpion habitat

The Malaysian forest Scorpion should be provided with an enclosure of atleast 6 gallons in volume due to it’s sheer size and bulk. Vertical room is not really a priority as they prefer to stay at ground level. Floor space is important to allow places for your scorpion to explore, and an improvised shelter such as a hollow log or a decorative cave used in aquariums should also be included.

Substrates for Malaysian forest scorpions

Heterometrus are forest species that come from Africa and Asia and require warm, humid conditions. A deep layer (6-7cm) of peat-free compost should be placed in the terrarium, this can be covered with orchid bark chippings. The substrate should be sprayed with water every day or so but never to a degree that it becomes very wet. Care should be taken that the substrate does not become mouldy or covered in fungus.

Temperature for Malaysian forest scorpions

This species requires temperature ranges of between 24-32°C (75-90°F). A temperature gradient is important to allow the scorpion to regulate their body temperature as needed. The easiest way to provide the gradient is by using a heating mat designed for use under reptile tanks. This should be placed under no more than about 1/3 of the tank, so your pet can move from warmer to cooler temperatures if desired. However, to ensure the temperatures are being provided you should monitor them by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the enclosure.

Humidity for Malaysian forest scorpions

They should be kept in a humid environment of between 60-80%, and this can be achieved by providing a shallow water dish and misting regularly as necessary. To successfully maintain the desired humidity conditions for your Malaysian forest Scorpion you are going to need a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity within the enclosure.

Feeding Malaysian forest scorpions

Breeding Malaysian forest scorpions

Heterometrus is a fairly easy genus to breed in captivity and wild caught females are often gravid. Prepare a habitat able to house two scorpions for at least 1 week, providing a flat surface for your scorpions’ courtship. This can be a rock, slate tile or broken crockery. Introduce the male and female scorpion in the enclosure and allow them to settle. It may take some time however mating will occur when the male and female scorpion are both ready; a courtship dance will take place between the mating pair before the male scorpion locks his chelae with the female scorpion’s chelae and leads the female with rhythmic manoeuvres. It may seem as if the scorpions are fighting; mating involves them grasping each other’s pincers and moving back and forth.

Malaysian forest scorpion mating dance

During the mating dance the male scorpion will deposit his spermatophore on the provided flat surface. He will then manoeuvre the female scorpion over it so she can take it into her genital opening. Once you have noticed that the female has grown larger due to pregnancy is a good idea to remove the male scorpion and place him into another enclosure. Keeping your pregnant female scorpion in her own, adequately maintained tank ensures minimal disturbance during pregnancy and birthing. Stress can severely upset scorpion pregnancies and can even result in cannibalism when the offspring are born.

Malaysian forest scorpion birthing

Birth takes place after around 9 months for most scorpions; however this can be affected by several factors such as species, temperature and feeding. It is important to be patient and not stress out the female scorpion during this period but to keep a look out for birthing. Newly birthed, scorpions are almost colourless and will quickly climb onto their mothers’ back. Often the female will not feed until the young have moulted into 2nd instar. It will take about a week or two, depending on temperature for the 1st instar to moult. At this time it is most important to maintain the humidity, through misting and keeping the substrate moist.

Once the scorplings moult into 2nd instar and leave the mother’s back you can separate the babies from the adults, creating a similar habitat for them as for the adults. Raising the young in the adult tank may deal no problems however it is still possible that they will be cannibalised by the larger scorpions.

After the young have moved on, the mother scorpion will start to feed again so begin to offer her plenty of food in order to replenish herself and regain lost weight.

Raising Malaysian forest scorplings

After the young moult and leave the mother you can separate them into smaller enclosures. You can keep the young of Heterometrus together without problems as they are not the cannibalistic type as many Buthids. Provide the essential deep moist substrate, large shallow water dish hiding places such as cork bark or up turned plant pot. The scorplings will now be hungry so begin to offer them something to eat such as pinhead crickets or sliced up adults crickets, and other small insects.

Ailments

Scorpions are generally quite hardy and adaptable if they are provided with the correct environment. A few signs that may indicate that your pet is not acting or feeling normal are a loss of appetite, acting listless or sluggish, having an overly swollen stomach, and missing or deformed limbs. Another problem can be an infestation of mites.

Though many scorpions can go for long periods of time without eating, overfeeding can cause an overly swollen stomach as well as the loss of appetite, and even death. The stomach can be slightly swollen from regular eating, and this is not a problem. Another problem can be an infestation of mites. Uneaten food can attract mites, which are very dangerous and stressful to scorpions. Be sure to remove old food.

Moulting

One of the most common reasons for death in scorpions is during moulting. Scorpion have a tough outer covering, a cuticle, that forms a rigid exoskeleton. All scorpions must shed their old exoskeleton and secrete a new one in order to grow, this is called the moult. Scorpions will moult from 6 to 10 times during their lifetime. This moulting process takes a lot of energy and they are very vulnerable for a couple of days after the moult until their new skin hardens. For about 24 hours prior to moulting it is not unusual for a scorpion to get quite sluggish. A difficult moult can result in lost or deformed limbs, or death. This is thought to be related to humidity levels. There can be either too much humidity or too little, depending on the species. In captivity a lot of immature scorpions die during the moulting process.

See also