Care and Husbandry of the Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus spp.)
Dr. Jenifer Nix,BVSc,MFAS, CertAqV
Background Information:
The Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus spp.) are a group of fossorial scorpions that are native to India, Malaysia, and Indonesia (1). The species gets up to 8 inches in length (1). The venom of these scorpions is not medically significant (1). However, scorpions in this genus tend to be somewhat defensive and more apt to pinch or sting if picked up or harassed. Asian forest scorpions are very shy and spend the majority of their time in burrows, surfacing at night or early in the morning. Handling: Handling of any scorpion is not recommended as these animals are venomous. Furthermore, a fall could result in injury to the animal. If a scorpion must be moved for the purposes of rehousing, the author recommends placing a small cup or container in front of the animal and gently prodding from behind with a paint brush to coax it into the cup. The animal should immediately be transferred to its new surroundings or an aerated lid placed over the container to prevent escape.
Dr. Jenifer Nix,BVSc,MFAS, CertAqV
Background Information:
The Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus spp.) are a group of fossorial scorpions that are native to India, Malaysia, and Indonesia (1). The species gets up to 8 inches in length (1). The venom of these scorpions is not medically significant (1). However, scorpions in this genus tend to be somewhat defensive and more apt to pinch or sting if picked up or harassed. Asian forest scorpions are very shy and spend the majority of their time in burrows, surfacing at night or early in the morning. Handling: Handling of any scorpion is not recommended as these animals are venomous. Furthermore, a fall could result in injury to the animal. If a scorpion must be moved for the purposes of rehousing, the author recommends placing a small cup or container in front of the animal and gently prodding from behind with a paint brush to coax it into the cup. The animal should immediately be transferred to its new surroundings or an aerated lid placed over the container to prevent escape.
Asian forest scorpling several weeks old. Picture by J. Nix, 2023
Enclosure:
Asian forest scorpions prefer a lot of substrate to burrow, and this should be damp but not soaked (1). As a general rule, the length and depth of the enclosure should be at least 4 times the length of the animal and it should be filled about halfway with substrate. Adult
scorpions do well in a 10 gallon enclosure filled halfway with substrate (1). These scorpions prefer a temperature that is warmer than basic room temperature. The author keeps a heat mat on one side of the enclosure and will measure temperatures daily with an infra-red temperature gun. Temperatures should be 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not place a heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure, as a burrowing scorpion could get burned. Also, avoid heat lamps as scorpions are stressed by light, and this will dry out the substrate too quickly. For substrate, a mixture of 50:50 peat moss and organic topsoil can work well (1). Otherwise, Jungle Mix or Creature Soil can be tried. Avoid sandy substrates as these do not hold humidity well. For decorations, dried leaves can be scattered on the bottom of the enclosure in addition to cork bark or a hide. Sphagnum moss should be placed on one side of the enclosure to ensure proper humidity and a shallow water dish should be placed on the opposite side. To keep the soil moist, pour water on one side of the enclosure twice weekly, not allowing it to dry out, and the opposite side can be moistened once every four weeks (1). Feeding: Baby scorpions can be fed a couple of pinhead crickets or red runner roaches per week. Alternatively, they will eat pre-killed prey. The author will pre-kill a large cricket and offer small pieces to her scorpions. Adult scorpions can be fed 2-3 large crickets weekly to every other week.
Asian forest scorpions prefer a lot of substrate to burrow, and this should be damp but not soaked (1). As a general rule, the length and depth of the enclosure should be at least 4 times the length of the animal and it should be filled about halfway with substrate. Adult
scorpions do well in a 10 gallon enclosure filled halfway with substrate (1). These scorpions prefer a temperature that is warmer than basic room temperature. The author keeps a heat mat on one side of the enclosure and will measure temperatures daily with an infra-red temperature gun. Temperatures should be 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not place a heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure, as a burrowing scorpion could get burned. Also, avoid heat lamps as scorpions are stressed by light, and this will dry out the substrate too quickly. For substrate, a mixture of 50:50 peat moss and organic topsoil can work well (1). Otherwise, Jungle Mix or Creature Soil can be tried. Avoid sandy substrates as these do not hold humidity well. For decorations, dried leaves can be scattered on the bottom of the enclosure in addition to cork bark or a hide. Sphagnum moss should be placed on one side of the enclosure to ensure proper humidity and a shallow water dish should be placed on the opposite side. To keep the soil moist, pour water on one side of the enclosure twice weekly, not allowing it to dry out, and the opposite side can be moistened once every four weeks (1). Feeding: Baby scorpions can be fed a couple of pinhead crickets or red runner roaches per week. Alternatively, they will eat pre-killed prey. The author will pre-kill a large cricket and offer small pieces to her scorpions. Adult scorpions can be fed 2-3 large crickets weekly to every other week.
Reference
(1) Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus sp.) Care Sheet [Website]. The Tarantula Collective. Accessed 1 May 2024. Available from:
https://www.thetarantulacollective.com/caresheets2/asian-forest-scorpion#google_vignette
(1) Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus sp.) Care Sheet [Website]. The Tarantula Collective. Accessed 1 May 2024. Available from:
https://www.thetarantulacollective.com/caresheets2/asian-forest-scorpion#google_vignette
