Scorpions depend on the ambient temperature; they do not keep their body temperature constant through their own metabolism. When they are kept in captivity, temperature is therefore not a side issue in their care but a direct determinant. Humidity is the second variable, and it has to be read together with temperature.
The reason for considering the two variables together is physical: the same amount of water vapour produces a lower relative humidity value when the temperature rises. Turning up the heating can therefore mean unwittingly drying out the environment. When one variable is adjusted in the colony, the drift of the other is also monitored.
What does temperature determine?
Temperature determines the animal's activity level and rate of digestion. In a cool environment the animal becomes inactive, refuses prey and grows more slowly. In excessive heat, water loss accelerates and the animal becomes stressed, constantly retreating to its shelter. The suitable range in between varies with the species' natural range; for a species originating in an arid belt, this range sits higher than for species from temperate regions.
In the wild, temperature does not stay constant throughout the day. The surface warms up during the day and cools markedly at night, and the animal chooses its position within this difference. A similar flexibility is sought in captivity: rather than locking the environment to a single value, a gradient is created so that the animal can move between cooler and warmer zones of the container. Keeping a slight rise and fall over the day also provides a pattern close to the natural rhythm.
The season is also taken into account. In summer the main problem is not heating but preventing the facility from overheating; in winter, continuity of heating comes to the fore. Whatever type of heat source is used, it is positioned so that no hot surface in the container is left in direct contact with the animal.
When a new group joins the colony, it is moved to the colony conditions gradually. Individuals kept at a different temperature during transport are not released straight into the target range; a sudden change stops feeding and increases signs of stress. The same approach applies to seemingly minor interventions such as changing a container or shelf.
Humidity: a risk in both directions
Humidity can go wrong in either direction. An environment that is too dry makes moulting difficult; when the old exoskeleton does not come away cleanly, the animal may lose limbs or fail to complete the process. The sensitivity of this period is described in detail in the article on moulting.
Too much humidity creates a different problem. Mould grows in substrate that stays constantly wet, mite populations increase and container hygiene deteriorates quickly. For a species originating in the arid belt, wet ground is an unnatural condition. The balance is struck by leaving a limited moist area inside the container rather than wetting the whole environment; the animal's water and moisture needs are discussed in the related article.
| Condition | Observable sign | Husbandry response |
|---|---|---|
| Environment too cool | Inactivity, prey not taken | Heat source and insulation are reviewed |
| Environment too warm | Staying in the shelter constantly, rapid water loss | Ventilation and shading are increased |
| Air too dry | Difficulty moulting | The limited moist area is rearranged |
| Air too humid | Mould, mites, odour from the container | Substrate is replaced and ventilation increased |
| No air circulation | Condensation, stagnant air | Lid and shelf arrangement are changed |
The lighting regime belongs alongside this topic. For a nocturnal animal, constant lighting is an unnatural condition; keeping day and night distinct allows the animal to maintain its own rhythm. Keeping the lighting used during husbandry brief and low in intensity also reduces disturbance. Lighting is a heat source as well; when a lamp is chosen, the heat it adds to the environment is taken into account.
Why is ventilation a separate topic?
Even if temperature and humidity are within the right range, problems persist if the air is stagnant. In a container with no circulation, condensation begins, odours build up and the microbial load increases. On the other hand, excessive airflow dries the environment out quickly. The aim is an arrangement that renews the air without exposing the animal directly to a draught. Openings in container lids, spacing between shelves and the general ventilation of the room are therefore planned together.
Climate conditions also need to be assessed together with the feeding plan. In the cooler period digestion slows and prey consumption falls; keeping to the same feeding frequency leads to uneaten prey accumulating in the container. Conversely, consumption rises in the warmer period and the interval is adjusted accordingly. For this reason, the feeding notes in the husbandry log are read alongside the temperature record.
Measurement, records and redundancy
Climate conditions are only as well controlled as they are measured. Measurement is not limited to a single device in the middle of the room; because differences can arise between the upper and lower tiers of the shelves, readings are taken at different heights. Comparing the devices with each other at regular intervals allows drift to be spotted early.
The readings are recorded. Tracking the highest and lowest values reveals fluctuations that occur during the day and are missed at a glance. When these records are assessed together with feeding and growth notes, the cause of growth that slowed during a given period can be traced retrospectively. Colony management as a whole is described in the article on closed-cycle breeding, and the feeding regime in the article on feeding.
The final topic is equipment failure. A power cut or a device stopping can push conditions outside the range within hours. That is why inspection rounds are kept regular, critical devices are not connected to a single point, and what to do when a problem is detected is written down in advance. Institutions wishing to learn more about how our facility operates and its documentation can use the contact page.
