HADOGENES TROGLODYTES / Flat Rock Scorpion
Family: Hemiscorpiidae
Common name(s): African Flat Rock
Location: South Africa
Size: 12cm + (males have amazingly long metasomas)
Faunarium: large size for one adult specimen
Substrate: Desert sand mixed with coco-fibre (3:2)
Temperature: 27°C +
Humidity: 55% - 65%
Toxicity: Very mild venom (1 out of 5)
Keeper level: intermediate, advanced
Food...
Adults will eat small, medium and large crickets; small or medium locusts (hoppers) and other feeders.
Scorplings will eat small crickets and hoppers.
Overview...
They are considered a large species, but more delicate.
They are typically a very docile species of scorpion.
They are a slow growing, typically they don't eat very much.
They have one of the weakest venoms of all scorpions.
Click for full image gallery of all species covered
Personal Observations...
My most docile species of scorpion kept currently. She will absolutely not
sting in defence, although surprisingly I have observed her using her sting through predation. As expected, it had little apparent effect on the feeder, though the predation was successful and the feeder was relatively large.
As you can see from the gallery, this scorpion is extremely flat. Infact you might even think
the scorpion has been squashed at first glance. This species has adapted to living in tight, narrow rock crevices. They have very prominent setae for sensing vibrations/air movement and their pedipalps
can stretch out a long way. They are ideal for snatching prey out from the rock hide, through
the smallest gap. I've observed my female snatch prey successfully while barely moving from her hide (if at all).
This scorpion likes to drink alot and as a result a water dish is supplied at all times.
For a period I experimented keeping the scorpion in a much drier setting. The result was the scorpion
using feeder remains to soak up drops of water I sprayed onto the top surface of it's rocky hide. It would squeeze water from the make-do 'sponge' with it's chelicerae (mouth parts). I found this behaviour quite remarkable, as it was almost like the use of a tool!
Finally, although highly desirable to beginners in the hobby because of their weak venom, I feel
this species is more for intermediate and advanced keepers with a real enthusiasm for the hobby. Due
to them being slow growing and rarely eating as well as being a more delicate species and requiring
slightly trickier humidity/temperature levels. That all said, this is just my opinion. Many people do start the hobby with this species.
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