This is a specific care sheet for Euscorpius flavicaudiss (Euscorpius flavicaudis), for more in this genus see Category:Euscorpius.

Introduction

E. flavicaudis is the most northerly found species of scorpion, it was introduced to the United Kingdom from the Mediterranean around the 1860’s. In it’s traditional habitat of North-west Africa and southern Europe it is found in gardens, forests, under stones, in houses and in old walls. E. flavicaudis is currently known to exist within two small communities on the British Isles, one on the Sheerness Dockyard, the Isle of Shepney, Kent. There is also reported to be another community living in Cornwall.

These scorpions have not spread to other parts of the U.K. because the climate is far too wet, hence why they are restricted to a couple of specific micro-climates.

E. flavicaudis are a type of fossorial scorpion. Fossorial scorpions spend almost their entire existence in a burrow of their own construction. At night, they may venture out of their burrow to capture prey, move soil from the tunnel, disperse (especially juveniles), or to go in search for a mate. Females are generally completely sedentary. Only the males leave their home burrow to search for mates. These males must find their way back to their burrow, use another scorpion‘s burrow, or construct a new burrow every night. They will often dig shallow burrows under any available shelter, e.g., rocks, logs and other debris.

Temperature

The temperature requirements for E flavicaudis are between 15-20°C (59-68°F) in summer and 12-15°C (53.6-59°F) in winter. However, any wild caught specimens originating from the Mediterranean and other similar climates may require warmer conditions of 25-28°C (77 – 82.4°F) in summer and 15-18°C (59-64.4°F) to simulate winter. A temperature gradient is important to allow your scorpion to regulate their body temperature as needed, however, given the requirements needed by this species they should be perfectly adequate being kept at ambient room temperatures with a natural day/night cycle. Always verify that appropriate temperatures are being provided by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the enclosure.

Humidity

A. flavicaudis requires a humidity of approximately 50-60%. To successfully maintain the desired humidity conditions for your scorpion you are going to need a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity within the enclosure.

Feeding

Baby scorpions can be fed crushed pinhead crickets. Adults will eat spiders and small insects such as crickets, grasshoppers and predominantly woodlice.

Sexing

To successfully determine the gender of individual E. flavicaudis there are a few factors to examine:

• The male is more slender than the female
• Males have larger pedipalps and more pronounced teeth on them
• Males have a larger telson
• The most accurate method is to examine the pectines; short pectines with 8 or 9 teeth is a female, longer with 10 or 11 teeth is a male
• If pectines overstep sternite borderline then it is a male.

Breeding

Female scorpions are often bulkier and have thinner pincers than the males. However, these differences are usually subtle. The pectines on the underside of scorpions can be inspected to give the you an idea of their scorpion’s gender. Place the scorpion in a clear plastic tub and hold it up to inspect the underside. Typically, males have longer combs on their pectines and females have shorter and often fewer combs on their pectines.

During courtship the male grasps the pincers of the female and begins a shaking action known as “juddering�?. Then, after a short shoving match, the male deposits a spermatophore onto the substrate and positions the female over the packet of sperm. The female lowers her abdomen and picks up the spermatophore into her genital opening. The two separate and often beat a hasty retreat in opposite directions. Females will usually give birth to approximately 10-12 scorplings.

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.

Molting

One of the most common reasons for the death in scorpions is the moult. The scorpion has 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.

Other problems

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.