Tarantula keeper looking to take scorpion plunge. What species suit me based on these criteria?

I've always sort of just glanced over the scorpions in preference for the tarantulas at the show tables but after a trip to the southwest and Mexico last year and coming across many in their native habitats, they have peaked my interest and would like to try to keep a few species that I would find desirable. I've lurked on this forum ever since looking at pictures threads of scorpions but I am a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of species out there and would greatly appreciate it if some other more experienced and knowledgeable keepers offered some suggestions concerning what species or what genera I could consider and perhaps which to avoid. Which species do you like that you would recommend?

I already have my first scorpions, P. imperator. There are a few things I don't like about them, such as their need for high humidity and large size but the ease of obtaining them as they are so popular and their medically insignificant venom made me consider them first and have been quite pleased with them.

What I consider desirable might not mesh with what others consider desirable, but here are my criteria :

- Medical significance of venom. I am not to keen about species with medically significant venom and the less medically significant the more desirable for me.

- Range. I'm actually more partial to native species of the US and of Mexico but would also like to keep species from Europe and elsewhere.

- Size. I actually prefer smaller species over larger ones.

- Ease of care. Dry temperate species being easier to care for than hot and humid ones.

- Uniqueness. Species with a unique color or morphology.

- Availability. Since I'm a novice, I would like to keep species that are fairly common and popular.


I'm sure that my criteria will change over time, but as of now I'd like to establish my collection based on these. I already have 2 species in mind. Euscorpius flavicaudis and Superstitionia donensis. Would these be suitable for me?

Based on your criteria mentioned I suggest trying rhopalurus garridoi they like it dry but a weekly mist on the cool side of enclosure as they will drink regularly they do like warmer temps but I've also never had a problem when keeping them around 75 degrees also. They are a very pretty scorpion also especially at 2i. They do range a bit in coloration They don't have a medically significant venom I've been keeping this species for around 2 years and my first brood of babies are now adults. They've been a total joy to keep and watch from birth to adult.

Both of those species will be pretty hard to find in the states, unfortunately. Hop over to the native us scorpions thread, most of those will meet most if not all of your criteria, with the exception of A. hadrurus which is fairly huge, and C. sculpturatus, which is our only native medically important species.

Also, consider R. junceus- a Cuban species with great coloration, a painful but not even close to lethal sting, communal as adults, fairly active compared to many, smallish, easily available. They do like it on the warm side, and they do like humidity, but less of either than p. imperator. If you're used to working with T's, you're already prepared for working with most scorps since they can't climb sheer, smooth surfaces anyway.

Scorpionluva said:

Based on your criteria mentioned I suggest trying rhopalurus garridoi they like it dry but a weekly mist on the cool side of enclosure as they will drink regularly they do like warmer temps but I've also never had a problem when keeping them around 75 degrees also. They are a very pretty scorpion also especially at 2i. They do range a bit in coloration They don't have a medically significant venom I've been keeping this species for around 2 years and my first brood of babies are now adults. They've been a total joy to keep and watch from birth to adult.

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SoHum said:

Both of those species will be pretty hard to find in the states, unfortunately. Hop over to the native us scorpions thread, most of those will meet most if not all of your criteria, with the exception of A. hadrurus which is fairly huge, and C. sculpturatus, which is our only native medically important species.

Also, consider R. junceus- a Cuban species with great coloration, a painful but not even close to lethal sting, communal as adults, fairly active compared to many, smallish, easily available. They do like it on the warm side, and they do like humidity, but less of either than p. imperator. If you're used to working with T's, you're already prepared for working with most scorps since they can't climb sheer, smooth surfaces anyway.

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Thank you both for your input. I will surely keep an eye out for those species.

---------- Post added 01-27-2015 at 03:41 AM ----------

Looks like not many of the natives are widely available and many were WC by their keeper. Too bad I don't live in the southwest.

Once summer rolls around people start going on hikes, and some sell some of what they bring home.

Are there any people who specialize in Mexican species?

Ironically, our local Mexican species specialist lives in Germany, he goes by Johnny Spadix

I may have to become our American specialist On a trip to Mexico's Lake Chapala and to Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco I came across several scorpions but as this was before I considered keeping them I didn't photograph and try to I.D. Thinking back they had to have been Centruroides sp.

Personally I'm dying for C. nigrescens, D. whitei, and H. spadix. C. vittatus is a pretty species, H. arizonensis is lovely and huge but sounds like a pet hole.. go check out the US native scorp thread if you haven't yet, we're fortunate to have a pretty wide variety of species, many of which don't require anything special temp/humidity wise.

With many of the native species (especially those of the Southwest) you may not have much choice when it comes to pretty coloration. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you want something small and hardy with some attitude I recommend Vaejovis spinigerus. Mine will not hesitate to sting, but the venom is very mild. I think mine is more about the posturing anyway In terms of coloration it may not be the prettiest, but the sheer animation of the species makes it worth keeping.

Scorpionluva is right about the R. garridoi too. He sent me one and it's probably the most violent scorpion I've ever kept. It won't hesitate to jump off the bark in it's enclosure to grab and mercilessly sting prey. It has been a hardy individual as well, which is always a plus. I've really enjoyed watching the coloration come in on it too.

Rowdy Hotel said:

I may have to become our American specialist On a trip to Mexico's Lake Chapala and to Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco I came across several scorpions but as this was before I considered keeping them I didn't photograph and try to I.D. Thinking back they had to have been Centruroides sp.

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Kari McWest, Sam Floyd, and Triprion are your go-to sources for rare, local scorpions. I dont keep in contact with them, but from what I've seen, they dont post much and keep to themselves, but are very proficient in the hobby. They also tend to have the best supply on locals, rare and common. Hate to just pop in to plug them, but if you're looking for local stuff or advice on locals, look no further.

pannaking22 said:

Scorpionluva is right about the R. garridoi too. He sent me one and it's probably the most violent scorpion I've ever kept. It won't hesitate to jump off the bark in it's enclosure to grab and mercilessly sting prey. It has been a hardy individual as well, which is always a plus. I've really enjoyed watching the coloration come in on it too.

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Thanks Tyler I don't think R. Garridoi gets as much attention as R junceas but I've kept both species for quite some time now and hands down - I'd pick garridoi over Junceas anyday just for ease of care and their overall attitude

Also consider getting any of the 3 available species of African flat-rock scorpions.. They look neat in any collection

Tongue Flicker said:

Also consider getting any of the 3 available species of African flat-rock scorpions.. They look neat in any collection

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That may be a bit larger than the OP wants, but I agree, you can't go wrong with a flat rock What are the three species? I've only ever seen H. paucidens and H. troglodytes.

pannaking22 said:

That may be a bit larger than the OP wants, but I agree, you can't go wrong with a flat rock What are the three species? I've only ever seen H. paucidens and H. troglodytes.

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H.bicolor.. I've seen some peeps from US and UK with them..

Tongue Flicker said:

H.bicolor.. I've seen some peeps from US and UK with them..

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Huh, didn't know that species had made it to the US. Good to know I have yet another scorp to look out for

Oh it's there alright, just hard to find. It's still rare to find it in the hobby compared to paucidens and troglodytes though

gromgrom said:

Kari McWest, Sam Floyd, and Triprion are your go-to sources for rare, local scorpions. I dont keep in contact with them, but from what I've seen, they dont post much and keep to themselves, but are very proficient in the hobby. They also tend to have the best supply on locals, rare and common. Hate to just pop in to plug them, but if you're looking for local stuff or advice on locals, look no further.

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Thanks for giving me some sources for natives. That's a big help.

---------- Post added 02-14-2015 at 01:48 AM ----------

Tongue Flicker said:

Also consider getting any of the 3 available species of African flat-rock scorpions.. They look neat in any collection

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The flat rocks get a little large but otherwise are right up my alley. Thanks for mentioning them, I will do some research. I do already keep emperors so these shouldn't be harder.

---------- Post added 02-14-2015 at 01:55 AM ----------

I must say that feeding time for scorpions isn't as fast as feeding time for my tarantulas. With the tarantula I quickly place a roach in their vicinity and if they don't nail it in 2 seconds I take it out and move on to the next cage.

About how often do you guys feed your scorps? With my tarantulas I err on the side of bigger meals so that I can feed less frequently, every 2 to 4 weeks depending on temperature. I realize there's a lot of factors at play such as size, growth rate, temperature.

In my paired setups, I try to keep one roach running around just so nobody gets so hungry that their 'friend' starts to look tasty. My bark scorpions I feed a roach or cricket once a week unless I see then lurking at the edge of their hide with their claws sticking out, then I'll throw them a snack sized prey, but they're all 2-4i so they can't go communal yet. Roaches are nice for the shy ones because afaik, they won't attach the scorp if they get hungry. About day three if the prey is still wandering around I pull it out.

I have all my scorps separated right now and I feed them a good sized prey item every other week unless I see them hanging out and waiting for something edible to come by (much like SoHum said). Always use roaches so you won't come back to a fat cricket and munched on scorp if your scorp doesn't decide to take it down. Once I start moving them in together for breeding there's always going to be something running around to be munched on.