This is a specific care sheet for Tri-coloured Burrowing Scorpions (Opistophthalmus ecristatus), for more in this genus see Category:Opistophthalmus.
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O. ecristatus is most commonly referred to as the Tri-coloured Burrowing Scorpion, however this name is also shared with O. walberghi, two very similar specimens. There are 50 species of African Burrowing scorpions ranging throughout the southern and eastern third of Africa. These scorpions are obligate burrowers, prefering fairly hard packed soils in which they can dig relatively long, deep tunnels.
| Scorpion Information (for a more detailed Scorpion care review see Scorpion Care Sheet | |
| Regions Found: | Sothern and Eastern Africa |
| Class: | Burrowing species |
| Longevity: | unknown |
| Adult Scorpion Size: | 4 -5 inches |
| Temperament: | Very defensive |
| Claws: | Strong pedipalps |
| Sting Potency: | Intensely painful venom |
| Opistophthalmus ecristatus Housing Requirements | |
| Scorpion Housing: | Minimum 8 gallon tank with deep substrate levels |
| Temperature range: | 80° F |
| Humidity range: | 70% |
| Special Requirements: | Deep substrate |
| Opistophthalmus ecristatus Breeding | |
| Breeding Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Birth Size: | unknown |
| Danger to Male: | unknown |
| Opistophthalmus ecristatus Diet | |
| A scorpions diet should consist mainly of livefood insects such as crickets, locust, butter worms, meal worms, superworms, houseflies and cockroaches. | |
| Recommended Pet Supplies for Opistophthalmus ecristatus | |
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Description
The Tri-coloured Burrowing Scorpion usually develops to a size of approximately six inches (15 cm). It has a stocky build and large, broad pincers, giving them a solid appearance. Also, they are more colourful than most other species of scorpion. Large females are impressive, attractive scorpions; unfortunately sightings will be infrequent and rare as they spend most of their lives hidden underground in their burrows.
Habitat
Tri-coloured requires a large enclosure with a substantial depth of hard-packing substrate to enable the specimen to effectively engineer the tunnels and burrows that it would require in the wild. No decorations are really needed, but you can add rocks, or cork bark.
Behaviour
All species of Burrowing scorpion (Opistophthalmus) will sting readily if cornered or restrained. One species, O. carinatus, is said to have very strong venom, whereas the others in the genus vary from mild to strong. Regardless of the species, their sting is intensely painful at the envenomation site for as long as 48 hours, but without any lasting aftereffects. The pain has been equated to that produced by bashing a finger with a hammer.