How to artificially breed scorpions

Scorpion is not only a precious medicinal ingredient, but can also be made into high-end dishes. With the continuous growth of market demand, the commercial value of artificially cultivated scorpions has become increasingly prominent. However, scorpion breeding is a job that requires extreme care and patience, and the success of breeding depends largely on the management level of the scorpion farm. Next, let us take a detailed look at the technical points of artificially breeding scorpions.

1. Construction of scorpion breeding farm

1. Pond culture method

Scorpion pools can be built indoors or outdoors. Common dimensions are 0.5 meters high and 1 meter wide, and the length is determined according to actual needs. A small amount of mortar needs to be used to fill the brick joints on the outer layer of the pool wall to prevent scorpions from escaping. On the inside of the pool roof, embed smooth materials such as glass or tiles while the mortar is still wet to prevent scorpions from escaping from the top. In the center of the pool, about 15 cm away from the four sides, multiple layers are built using bricks or stones, leaving a gap of about 1.5 cm between each layer to provide a habitat for scorpions.

2. Box culture method

You can make your own breeding box using wooden boards, or renovate old wooden boxes or plastic boxes. A circle of plastic film or glass strips needs to be placed around the box opening to prevent the scorpion from escaping. A 2-cm-thick layer of sand is laid on the bottom of the box, and bricks, coal slag, etc. are placed on it for the scorpions to move and live.

2. Scorpion introduction technology

Timing of introduction: The best time to introduce scorpions for normal temperature breeding is late spring, early summer or autumn. Late spring and early summer are the best times because scorpions have ended their hibernation and passed the high mortality period in the spring, and adult female scorpions have entered pregnancy and can reproduce in a short period of time.

Source of breeding scorpions: Breeding scorpions can come from captured wild scorpions or purchased from other artificial breeding units. For beginners, it is not recommended to directly use wild scorpions as breeding scorpions.

Selecting breeding scorpions: When selecting breeding scorpions, you should choose healthy and energetic young scorpions, adult scorpions or pregnant scorpions according to breeding needs. Male scorpions should be selected with strong physique, bright color, lively and powerful, and strong sexual desire. Female scorpions should be larger in size, more than 4.8 cm in length, with intact limbs, healthy and lively, with the abdomen curled up when at rest, a full front abdomen, and shiny skin.

Male-female ratio: In order to increase the number of reproduction, some farmers only select female scorpions and ignore male scorpions, which is wrong. According to the mating habits of scorpions, the male-female ratio should be controlled at 2 to 3 female scorpions to 1 male scorpion.

Transportation of breeding scorpions: When transporting breeding scorpions, it is recommended to use cartons and non-toxic woven bags. Each bag is suitable for loading 500 scorpions. Before transportation, put the scorpions into a clean woven bag and seal it, then put it into a cardboard box with sponge or cardboard on the bottom. Place a few wet sponges in the carton to adjust the humidity, and punch holes around the carton to ensure ventilation. Avoid severe vibration during transportation, pay attention to heatstroke prevention in summer, and keep warm in winter.

3. Scorpion breeding method

Light management: The scorpion farm should be located in a higher location with plenty of sunlight. Plenty of sunlight not only helps reduce disease in your scorpion, but it also prevents the growth of pests like mites.

Humidity Regulation: During extended dry or wet seasons, the soil should be kept moist by adding water to the reservoir in the scorpion habitat. In heavy rain, use plastic sheeting to cover the scorpion shed to prevent water accumulation. Scorpions replenish water by absorbing moisture and are not suitable for drinking water directly. Its activity area should be kept moderately moist, and the relative humidity of the air should be preferably 80%. During hibernation, to avoid frost damage, the humidity of the habitat should be controlled at 10% to 12%.

Temperature control: The ideal temperature range for scorpion growth and development is 20-39℃. Within this temperature range, scorpions have the strongest appetite, grow fast, molt smoothly, and it is also the best temperature for reproduction. In late spring and fall, using plastic sheeting for warmth can shorten the hibernation period of scorpions. When the temperature drops below 10°C, scorpions stop growing and go into hibernation. Between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius, scorpions may be in a semi-asleep state, occasionally moving. After waking up in spring, if scorpions lack water in their bodies, they may become slow in activity and lose their appetite, leading to a high mortality rate. 3 to 6 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for scorpions to hibernate.

Feed supply: Scorpions prefer high-protein, low-fat, soft, juicy and active insects as food, and are not interested in rotten, smelly, dead or sluggish insects. Mealworms are ideal feed for scorpions because they reproduce quickly, have a short growth cycle, require low breeding conditions, have simple breeding methods, and are rich in nutrients. Other insects such as earthworms and woodlice can be used as supplementary feed.

4. Scorpion pests and diseases

1. Spotted mold (scorpion lice disease)

Symptoms: Usually occurs from June to August, due to humid environment or moldy food, infection with green mold fungi. In the early stages of the disease, yellow-brown or reddish-brown mold spots appear on the thoracic plate and anterior abdomen of the scorpion, the scorpion loses appetite, its growth stagnates, and it eventually dies from food refusal. Dissection revealed green mold-like hyphae aggregates in the body.

Prevention and control: The focus is on prevention, controlling air humidity, keeping food and water dishes clean, regularly using formalin or potassium permanganate solution to disinfect the breeding area, isolating sick scorpions and promptly disposing of dead scorpions, and using drugs such as oxytetracycline or chloramphenicol for treatment.

2. Black rot (body rot)

Symptoms: May occur throughout the year, short course, high mortality rate. Infection with black mold fungus occurs due to feeding rotten feed or accidentally eating dead sick scorpions. The sick scorpion's abdomen swells and turns black, its activity decreases, its appetite drops, and it eventually dies.

Prevention and control: Keep feed and water fresh, disinfect the breeding area regularly, isolate sick scorpions, and use drugs such as scorpion sprouts, erythromycin or baking soda for treatment.

3. Hemiplegia (tail disease)

Symptoms: Occurs during the wet period in late summer and early autumn, caused by long-term feeding of high-fat feed. The sick scorpion moves slowly, has oily mucus in its mouthparts, and begins to die after 5 to 10 days.

Prevention and treatment: Reduce high-fat feed, adjust environmental temperature and humidity, adopt fasting or use drugs such as rhubarb soda tablets for treatment.

4. Abdominal distension

Symptoms: Rainy weather occurs in early spring and autumn, causing indigestion due to low temperatures. Sick scorpions have large blue veins on their stomachs, become slow to react, and have a poor appetite, and will begin to die after 10 to 15 days.

Prevention and control: Maintain suitable breeding temperature and use drugs such as multi-enzyme tablets, Sulfonamide tablets and so on for treatment.

5. Ant damage

Symptoms: Ants compete with scorpions for food, eating young, weak, and sick scorpions.

Prevention and control: Use scorched egg shells and sprinkle them around the breeding area, or use bait to lure the fish away and then scald them to death with boiling water.

In summary, scorpion breeding is a long-term process, and it usually takes two years to see benefits. New farmers should arrange their time properly to avoid being misled by exaggerated publicity. Successful breeding requires continuous learning, innovation and improvement based on the natural habits and life patterns of scorpions in order to obtain rich returns.