Babycurus jacksoni Informative Paper

General:

Babycurus jacksoni, also known by the common name of rusty thick tail scorpion, is an extremely popular and readily available species from Africa. This species contains two different color morphs (regular and chocolate). The regular color morph is a bright orange color and, as the scorpion matures, the color fades to a duller orange. The chocolate morph is brown.

Chocolate Morph (Left) | Regular Morph (Right)

Housing:

Babycurus jacksoni are a communal species and they do well housed with scorpions of their own species. Despite their communal nature, Babycurus jacksoni will occasionally exhibit cannibalism; however, this is not very common. Cannibalism among adults is even less common than cannibalism among the juveniles because juveniles are vulnerable and defenseless after molting.

The enclosure used to house this species should contain around 2-3 in. (5-7.5cm) of peat moss. Since Babycurus jacksoni require a moderate amount of humidity, the peat moss on one half of the enclosure should be kept moist. The temperature should be maintained around 75-90°F (24-32°C).

Feeding:

Babycurus jacksoni are fairly aggressive eaters and will often accept prey as large as themselves (although it is best to use more appropriately sized prey). Adults should be fed about once a week, and young should be fed once or twice a week. This species will readily accept roaches and crickets. If using roaches, a non-burrowing species, such as Blatta lateralis, will be easier for the scorpions to locate.

Reproduction:

Babycurus jacksoni with 1st Instar Young Image

If properly maintained, Babycurus jacksoni are highly prolific. This species, like most other scorpions species, reproduces sexually, so there are both male and female specimens. Determining the sex of an adult is quite simple. Males have larger, more bulbous chelae (claws) than females. Males can mature after 4 molts (at 5th instar), and all specimens will mature by the time they reach 6th instar. Once adults are introduced into the same enclosure, they will usually mate within a short time period. After successfully mating, the female will give birth to around 12-31 young. If kept warm and well fed, the gestation period can be as short as 3 months, and a female can give birth to around 3 broods in a single year. Under cooler temperatures with less food, the gestation period can last about 5-8 months. In addition to this species' relatively short gestation period, it can also give birth to more than one brood from a single mating. Although Babycurus jacksoni is not a burrowing species, females will occasionally hollow out a small area in the substrate just beneath a piece of bark a few days prior to giving birth. This hollowed out area provides increased security, as well as a higher humidity level.

Male B. jacksoni (Above) | Female B. jacksoni (Below)