L. wagiensis communal?

[Avic_Litee]

Does anyone know?
Emily

[Scott Land]

Originally Posted by Avic_Litee

Does anyone know?
Emily

Emily,
From the pics I have seen they are but hopefully vixvy will confirm.

[barkscorpions]

Emily,

Liocheles waigiensis - Great choice in scorpion! In the past, I had 7 (fems) that lived together for several years in a standard 10 gallon (38 L) glass enclosure without problem. They only get around 60-65 mm in total length but are easy to maintain and are very rarely defensive. Just keep them moist (Tropical %RH +80%) at temps of 82-92F. A moist 4" layer of peat or peat/topsoil mix, a few assorted rocks on the substrate surface and a section of punky tree branch with peeling bark and you're in business. Although most will excavate burrows and scrapes, they love to climb and despite their ungainly appearance, are actually quite adept at doing so.
The primary factors are warmth and moisture. They like it warm and do well in very moist conditions. Saturated substrate and ambient %RH of 90%+ is like heaven to these liochelids! They like mud, too! LOL
Best of luck with your specimens.

Cheers,
Luc

[vixvy]

Here is just some info about them:
They are not communal in their early instars. Whats amazing with this specie is they are monogamous I have tried to keep 1.2 in one tank the female ate the other female and vice versa with (2.1) they should be kept in equal ratio or better not introduce an opposite sex if you plan to keep it communal. with an ample space, crevices, and hides I do not see any problem. I have to agree with Luc about the substrate and humidity to use. I see them under dead river banks in the middle of the jungle where we all know is pretty muddy and wet. And it was once believed that they are parthenogenic....they are not only the liocheles australisae thats parthenogenic.

Hope this helps.

-vixvy

[barkscorpions]

Vixvy,

They do love mud and wet! When I kept this species (only adult females), I did observe than when humidity levels decreased below 80% they'd become less surface active and secret themselves within their burrows and hides. An idea captive environment would probably have temps around 90F and 90% RH. Saturated substrate and lotz of rotted wood and moss!

Luc

[Avic_Litee]

I have an adult male, but how do I know if I have an adult female? I have about 5 of them, with only one confirmed adult male and the others either subadults or females. Would this be a bad mix to keep together?

[barkscorpions]

Emily,

Examine the cutting edges of the chelae for a large "tooth" on the moveable fingers and a corresponding "gap" on the fixed fingers = adult male. If I recall, males have a shorter, thinner metasoma as well.
In Cheloctonus, the chelal teeth of the males is used to lock the chelae together during defensive shielding - males will occupy burrow and retreat entrances and use the locked chelae to close-off the entrance to intruders. The males also use these very large chelal teeth to secure the chelae of fems during mating.
As for keeping them in groups: I only have experience in keeping adult fems (58-65 mm TL) together so, Vixvy would be a better experienced choice in answering that question.

Luc

[vixvy]

Originally Posted by barkscorpions

Emily,

Examine the cutting edges of the chelae for a large "tooth" on the moveable fingers and a corresponding "gap" on the fixed fingers = adult male. If I recall, males have a shorter, thinner metasoma as well.
In Cheloctonus, the chelal teeth of the males is used to lock the chelae together during defensive shielding - males will occupy burrow and retreat entrances and use the locked chelae to close-off the entrance to intruders. The males also use these very large chelal teeth to secure the chelae of fems during mating.
As for keeping them in groups: I only have experience in keeping adult fems (58-65 mm TL) together so, Vixvy would be a better experienced choice in answering that question.

Luc

Very well said Luc I think that answers your question Emily. I will be going for a trip this week I will take some photos of their natural habitat. Try to have a pair in communal set up. the tooth is very visible.

[Scott Land]

Originally Posted by barkscorpions

Emily,

Examine the cutting edges of the chelae for a large "tooth" on the moveable fingers and a corresponding "gap" on the fixed fingers = adult male. If I recall, males have a shorter, thinner metasoma as well.
In Cheloctonus, the chelal teeth of the males is used to lock the chelae together during defensive shielding - males will occupy burrow and retreat entrances and use the locked chelae to close-off the entrance to intruders. The males also use these very large chelal teeth to secure the chelae of fems during mating.
As for keeping them in groups: I only have experience in keeping adult fems (58-65 mm TL) together so, Vixvy would be a better experienced choice in answering that question.

Luc

Emily and Luc,
Here is a male O.madagascariensis showing the bump

[barkscorpions]

Scott,

Thanks for posting the above photo. Cheloctonus, Iomachus, Liocheles and Opisthacanthus are all great genera of scorpions often overlooked in the hobby or over-shadowed by their larger cousins, Hadogenes.

Luc