7 Foods Scorpions Love: Feed Them Right!

Scorpions, with their fearsome reputation and intriguing behavior, are fascinating creatures to many. While not everyone might consider them as pets, those who do often face the challenge of providing the right diet to ensure their scorpions' health and vitality. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the foods that scorpions love and how to incorporate them into their diet to feed them right.

What Do Scorpions Eat in the Wild?

Before diving into feeding strategies, it's crucial to understand what scorpions naturally consume in their habitat. Scorpions are carnivorous predators known for their predatory and scavenging habits.

• Insects: Crickets, cockroaches, beetles, and other small insects form the bulk of their diet.
• Spiders and Centipedes: Not just insects, scorpions will also prey on spiders and even centipedes when available.
• Small Vertebrates: On occasion, they might take down small lizards, snakes, or rodents.
• Other Scorpions: Cannibalism is not uncommon; scorpions will eat their own kind if conditions are right.

7 Foods Scorpions Love

Here’s a list of seven foods that scorpions are known to relish:

1. Crickets

Crickets are probably the most widely available and commonly fed prey for scorpions. They are nutritious, providing essential proteins and fats.

<p class="pro-note">🌟 Pro Tip: Gut-load crickets before feeding them to scorpions. This means feeding them nutritious food for at least 24 hours before offering them to your pet, enhancing their nutritional value.</p>

2. Mealworms

Mealworms, being another insect readily found in pet stores, make for an excellent food choice. They are high in protein and can be a staple in your scorpion’s diet.

3. Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches are also excellent due to their high nutritional content and easy digestibility for scorpions.

4. Wax Worms

While wax worms should be given sparingly due to their high fat content, they are much-loved treats by scorpions, offering a sweet indulgence.

5. Frozen or Live Prey

Scorpions can adapt to various feeding strategies. Frozen prey, like thawed pinkie mice, can be offered if live insects are not available or if you want to treat your scorpion to something different.

<p class="pro-note">🌟 Pro Tip: When using frozen prey, ensure it is thoroughly thawed and warmed to room temperature to avoid any digestive issues for your pet.</p>

6. Pinhead Crickets

For younger scorpions or smaller species, pinhead crickets are the ideal size. They provide a protein-rich diet in manageable portions.

7. Scorpion Cannibalism

While not a food you provide, cannibalism is a natural behavior to be aware of. In the wild or in captivity, larger scorpions might eat smaller ones or their molts.

How to Feed Scorpions

Preparing the Feeding Environment

• Provide a Feeding Dish: Some scorpions may be shy feeders; a shallow dish can help.
• Create Naturalistic Features: Hiding places or branches can encourage natural hunting behavior.
• Hygiene: Remove any uneaten food after 24 hours to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

Feeding Techniques

1. Live Prey: Most scorpions respond best to live prey. Ensure the prey is not too large to prevent injury.
2. Tongs: Use feeding tongs to safely place prey in the enclosure without disturbing your pet.
3. Frequency: Depending on species and age, scorpions should be fed every few days to once a week.
4. Water: Mist the enclosure or provide a shallow water dish for hydration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfeeding: Scorpions need less food than you might think. Overfeeding can lead to obesity.
• Starvation: Conversely, do not underfeed. Watch for signs of poor health or molting issues.
• Inappropriate Prey Size: Prey that is too large can harm or be uneaten by your scorpion.
• Neglecting Variety: A diverse diet promotes better health than feeding the same food repeatedly.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you notice your scorpion is not eating:

• Check for signs of stress or illness like lethargy, improper molting, or color changes.
• Ensure the feeding environment mimics their natural habitat closely.
• Try different food items from the list to see if preference changes.
• Examine the enclosure for proper temperature, humidity, and hiding spots.

<p class="pro-note">🌟 Pro Tip: Always check your scorpion's activity level before assuming it's not eating due to stress or health issues. Sometimes, they simply need to rest post-molt.</p>

Feeding Scorpions with Natural Intuition

As captivating as scorpions are, providing them with a diet that aligns with their natural instincts ensures their health and promotes the kind of behavior one would witness in their natural habitat.

Incorporating Variability

One should avoid feeding the same food daily. A varied diet not only reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies but also stimulates the scorpion's hunting instincts, making feeding time a moment of enrichment.

Understanding Behavior

Scorpions display fascinating behavior when hunting or scavenging. Observing how they interact with their food can provide insights into their health, behavior, and preferences.

• Prey Capture: Watch for the typical scorpion strategy of using their pincers to seize prey, followed by their sting if needed.
• Communal Feeding: In some species, you might see them feeding together, which can be a spectacle in itself.

Scorpion Diet Across Different Life Stages

Different life stages require specific dietary adjustments:

Juveniles

• Feed young scorpions more frequently with small prey like pinhead crickets to support growth.
• The frequency might be every other day or even daily.

Adults

• Mature scorpions can be fed less often, typically once a week or even less.
• Larger prey items can be introduced as their ability to subdue prey improves.

Pregnant or Molting

• Pregnant or molting scorpions may have altered feeding habits. Provide extra hydration during these times.
• Monitor for signs of increased hunger or refusal to eat and adjust feeding accordingly.

Final Thoughts

To feed your scorpions right involves understanding their natural diet, observing their behavior, and providing a balanced and engaging feeding regimen. Here are key takeaways:

• Scorpions thrive on a diet rich in insects, but variety is essential.
• Live prey often stimulates hunting behavior better than frozen or pre-killed alternatives.
• Ensuring the diet supports growth, health, and natural behavior is critical for longevity.

We encourage you to delve further into scorpion care through related tutorials on habitat setup, handling, and overall health. Your scorpion's diet is a gateway to understanding these enigmatic creatures.

<p class="pro-note">🌟 Pro Tip: Document your scorpion's feeding behavior and any diet changes. This record can be invaluable for tracking health, growth, and behavior changes over time.</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I feed my scorpion just crickets?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>While crickets can be a staple, offering a variety of foods ensures your scorpion gets a broad range of nutrients.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How often should I feed my scorpion?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Feeding frequency varies with species and age. Juvenile scorpions might need food every few days, while adults can be fed less frequently.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Should I provide live or frozen prey?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Live prey stimulates natural hunting behavior, but frozen prey can be used occasionally, ensuring it's properly thawed.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>