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Desert Hairy Scorpions

Family: Caraboctonidae

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Hadrurus spadixPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Russ Gurley

     The Desert Hairy Scorpions are the largest scorpions in the United States!

     Due to its size and beauty, the Desert Hairy Scorpion is a rather popular scorpion species in captivity. They are quite hardy when offered the proper enclosure and require very little maintenance. Hairy Scorpions are known to live in excess of twenty years in captivity.

     Though they are not considered dangerous they are quite defensive. They will readily sting readily sting if given the opportunity and when they feel cornered or in danger. The sting is painful, but usually of little medical importance.

The Desert Hairy Scorpion, H. hirsutus, like many scorpions, fluoresces under ultraviolet light. This glowing gives away their position at night to collectors carrying portable black lights. This adds to the large numbers found in captivity.

For more Information on keeping scorpions see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Invertebrate

Distribution:      Desert Hairy Scorpions are found in the Southern and western parts of the United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and southern California.

Description:      Desert Hairy Scorpions are the largest specimens of scorpions in the United States. They can reach over 4" (11 cm). There are several "morphs" or subspecies but most are pale to straw yellow in color with darker back plates and dark spots on their legs and claws. They spend a great deal of time using their strong claws and legs for digging and moving earth in the enclosure. They live 20 years or more in captivity.

Care and Feeding:      In the wild this scorpion feeds on large insects such as locusts and solifugids and is reportedly a major predator of smaller species of scorpions such as Vejovis spinigerus. In captivity it will feed on crickets and other insects. They will thrive with weekly feedings, requiring little additional water and minimal maintenance.

Environment:      The Desert Hairy Scorpion is found in burrows in sandy scrub areas. A desert dweller, they are extremely sensitive to water and humidity, Their environment should not be kept moist. The Desert Hairy Scorpion has adapted to getting it's water from the animals it feeds on.      They can be kept individually in a 2 1/2 to 5-gallon terrarium. Provide 3 - 4" (8 - 10 cm) of sand on the bottom. No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log or driftwood for a simple shelter.

Temperature and Humidity requirements:      Keep the enclosure maintained at about at 75 ° - 90  °F with a humidity level of 55 to 55%. The amount of moisture in the enclosure is very important, too much has been known to kill these scorpions.

Social Behavior/Activities:      The Desert Hairy Scorpion is aggressive and active. They are not social and should be housed individually.

Handling:      The Desert Hairy Scorpion is aggressive and will readily sting if given the opportunity. The sting is painful, but usually of little medical importance. Use paintbrushes, deli cups, foam-covered tweezers, and coated rubber gloves to move this scorpion as it can potentially give a painful sting. Scorpions are best considered display animals rather than "hands-on" pets.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Female Hadrurus are often bulkier and have thinner pincers than the males. These differences, however, can be subtle. The pectines on the underside of scorpions can be inspected to give the you an idea of their scorpion's sex. Place the scorpion in a clear plastic tub and hold it up to inspect the underside of the scorpion. Typically, males have longer combs on their pectines and females have shorter and often fewer combs on their pectines.      The male quickly grasps the pincers of the female and begins a shaking action known as "juddering". Then, after a short shoving match, the male deposits a spermatophore onto the substrate and positions the female over the packet of sperm. The female lowers her abdomen and picks up the spermatophore into her genital opening. The two separate and often beat a hasty retreat in opposite directions.

Ailments:      Scorpions are generally quite hardy and adaptable if they are provided with the right environment. A few signs that may indicate that your pet is not acting or feeling normal are a loss of appetite, acting listless or sluggish, having an overly swollen stomach, and missing or deformed limbs. Another problem can be an infestation of mites.

• Molting: One of the most common reasons for the death in scorpions is the molt. The scorpion has a tough outer covering, a cuticle, that forms a rigid exoskeleton. All scorpions must shed their old exoskeleton and secrete a new one in order to grow, this is called the molt. Scorpions will molt from 6 to 10 times during their lifetime. This molting process takes a lot of energy and they are very vulnerable for a couple of days after the molt until their new skin hardens
       For about 24 hours prior to molting it is not unusual for a scorpion to get quite sluggish.
       A difficult molt can result in lost or deformed limbs, or death. This is thought to be related to humidity levels. There can be either too much humidity or too little, depending on the species. In captivity a lot of immature scorpions die during the molting process.
• Other Problems: Though many scorpions can go for long periods of time without eating, overfeeding can cause an overly swollen stomach as well as the loss of appetite, and even death. The stomach can be slightly swollen from regular eating, and this is not a problem.
       Another problem can be an infestation of Mites. Uneaten food can attract mites, which are very dangerous and stressful to scorpions. Be sure to remove old food.

Availability:      Desert Hairy Scorpions are commonly available from any dealers that offer a good selection of scorpions.      The Desert Hairy Scorpion is commonly abundant in certain areas. Due to the enthusiasm of some invertebrate collectors in Arizona and Nevada, captive caught specimens are regularly available. The only downfall to this is that large numbers are being collected by overzealous collectors. Though these scorpions are quite hardy when offered the proper enclosures, many of these specimens are lost to dehydration.

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Latest Comments
i have just purchased my new desert hairy scorpion and she is gourgeous! She may sting a little, but i just quickly pull my hand back. They are very cute and docile, lovey! rap c nesbit 2007-10-27
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Wow, great care sheet. I am buying a desert scorpion on the weekend and now I know what to do and wjat not to do, so thank you. My friend bought the same type the other day and he was forcing it to eat 2 crickets by grabing them with tweasers and jabbing the cricket into the scorp. And he also kept the ground moist which is something the pet shop owner said to do, but he was actually wrong. He told my friend how to care for a rainforest scorp so thanks to your caresheet I no not to wet the sand because it could lead to death. Also the petshop owner didn't seem to know much about scorpions, so everyone reading this keep an eye out. luke angus miller 2008-03-25
I have just purchased a desert hairy and was told by the shop keeper, after HE inspected it, that it may be pregnant due to its swollen stomach. He did this with a look on his face that wasn't fitting but on reading this care sheet, I think he knew that this scorpion probably had an ailment. Thank you for this care sheet, very informative. S.R. 2008-03-17
I have just gotten a 2 cm baby hadrurus arizonensis, captive bred of course. It's got one hell of an apetite and it's great to handle. Hopefully won't have any molting problems as he grows. Great Care Sheet. Thanks. Andy 2008-01-28

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