Handling Techniques for Scorpion Husbandry

Page 2 of 4 | text and photos by David H. Desoer, additional photos by Tamara Maki

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Figure 3Another variation on cupping involves placing a cup over top of the scorpion, effectively enclosing it. A piece of card or other flat material may then be slipped carefully underneath the cup and scorpion to enclose it. Great care must be taken when slipping a card under a cup or when moving a cup along a surface (to relocate a scorpion for a better photograph, for example) not to trap or otherwise damage the scorpion's legs. Using a transparent cup so that you can see the scorpion and moving very slowly and carefully will help to protect your specimen. This technique only works well on flat or loose surfaces, as hard, irregular surfaces leave gaps between the rim of the cup and the substrate, through which a scorpion may be able to escape.

FIG 3: With quicker specimens or when working in the field, it may be necessary to first restrict a scorpion's movements by placing a cup over top and then slipping a card underneath to restrain it.

A third variation on cupping is to simply scoop up a scorpion along with a portion of its substrate. This technique only works for scorpions that live in a fairly loose substrate and care must be taken not to scoop up any rocks or other large objects that might crush or otherwise damage a scorpion.

Regardless of which cupping technique you are using, there are some factors that are worth considering. Firstly, clear containers are generally safer and easier to work with, since they allow you to see the scorpion from all angles. Even if an opaque container is used, it is beneficial to use a transparent lid. This allows you to see the location of the scorpion within the container and allows you to more safely remove the lid at a later time. The texture of the container is also important. Smooth surfaces such as glass and deli cup plastic work well, since they allow the scorpion to slide down the inside surface but not to climb back out. Roughly textured surfaces are easily climbed by some scorpions and reduce the degree of control you have over them. If you are using a smooth cup so as to slide a scorpion in our out easily, it is important to stick to slight angles so that the scorpion does not slide too quickly and sustain damage.

Figure 4When a cup type container simply does not allow for a close enough examination of the specimen, one solution is to place the scorpion inside a Ziploc® bag. Either the scorpion can be directly placed in the bag, or it can be cupped and then the cup placed inside the mouth of the bag and the scorpion slid into the bag. Once inside the bag, it is relatively easy to manipulate the scorpion. If the bag is flattened as much as possible, it is even possible to flip the scorpion onto its back. This is quite useful for examining the underside of the scorpion, particularly under a microscope. There is, however, one disadvantage with this technique, in that undulations in the surface of the bag can result in glare and make photography difficult.

FIG 4: Once a scorpion is placed in a Ziploc® bag, the bag can be flattened and turned upside down to examine the ventral surface. The pectines, a useful feature in scorpion identification, can be clearly seen in this picture.

 

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