I have a Parabuthus capensis, and it is normally an agro little guy. I normally keep all my "arid" scorpions at low humidity (around 30%) because if kept moist they could get mould in the book lungs and die.

So today I was checking up on everyone and found my capensis just lying on the desert sand, tail down...I initially thought it was dead, but when I touch it, it moved all robot like and slowly. I thought maybe it wanted to shed and so I decided to spray a bit in the enclosure to increase the humidity. It rugby tackled the water bowl, as you see in the picture but it still walked all rigid with its tail down.

anyway, I went to work this evening and just got back, check on the capensis and it is back to its old agro self - running around, tail ready to "steek" anything that comes near it....

interestingly the humidity is now 70% in the enclosure. My conclusion of the strange behaviour - possibly dehydration ??? ...of a scorpion ? I know the concept sounds strange...

maybe it will still shed but for now it seems to be dehydration - a first for me I must add.

I know with juveniles a slightly raised humidity is needed to help shed, but this specimen is nearly adult...

the rest of my Parabuthus are doing fine with low humidity.

Anyway, I thought I would share. It is amazing how you can never learn or experience too much in this hobby

That is interesting.I agree it does sound like a case of dehydration.
I know scorpions can go many weeks without water, so it is unusual to see.

How big is he?

Do you know how to tell the difference between P.capensis and P.planicauda visually?

Cheers

having a drink ...

...and another...

...and another...

P. capensis vs P. planicauda

Distribution differs
P. capensis shows sexual difference in male and female whereas P. planicauda doesn't.
P. capensis is different on 2nd metasomal segment to rest of tail wheras P. planicauda isn't

...as far as i can remember

Cool pics Scorpion.
Sure is thirsty.

You sure there is no alcohol in that water

scorpion wrote:


Thanks

He really is an impressive specimen. Damn, that tail is bad ass!

What other Parabuthus species do you keep?