Diplocentrus spitzeri
Ruby Rock Scorpion: Advanced Care Guide
Keeper Snapshot: A stocky semi-arid scorpion that loves to dig deep, then hide under bark: hardy and room-temperature friendly, adults about 3-4 inches with mild venom.
Group: ScorpionsDifficulty: Spice 2: BeginnerSetup: Semi-arid burrower, deep substrate + barkHandling: Not recommended, can pinch and sting
Use This Guide Safely
- Confirm the exact animal. Match this guide to the species, locality, size, and life stage on your label. If the ID is uncertain, use the more conservative part of the range and ask before changing the setup.
- Change one thing at a time. Treat temperature and humidity as target zones, then watch posture, burrowing, drinking, feeding, and molt behavior before making another adjustment.
- Respect the handling boundary. If the guide says no handling, fast, defensive, or medically significant, plan transfers with catch cups, locked lids, and no bare hands. For serious bites, stings, or symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
Quick Snapshot
| Temperature | 70-90°F |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 35-50%, good airflow; dry surface, damp burrow base |
| Setup Type | Semi-arid burrower, deep substrate + bark |
| Substrate | Deep 3-4+ in packable coco/sand/peat, dry top, moist below |
| Feeding | Small prey weekly |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 2: Beginner |
| Handling | Not recommended, can pinch and sting |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
Enclosure Format / Size Class
- 2i-3i instars: Baby Buddy starter enclosure, escape-proof ventilation only.
- Larger juveniles/adults: Burrow Buddy setup, roomier floor and depth for a full-grown adult.
Warnings First
- Can pinch and sting when stressed, but venom is mild.
- Avoid wet substrate; it's a dry-adapted burrower.
- Give it stable hides; collapsing decor can injure a burrower.
- Cross-ventilate at substrate level so the faint moisture at burrow depth stays healthy, not stagnant.
Simple Care
- Deep, packable substrate it can dig into, plus bark to hide under.
- Cross ventilation low on two opposite walls so the burrow layer keeps exchanging air.
- Dry up top: light occasional mist, faint moisture down low, always a water dish with pebbles in it.
- Room temperature is fine; use stable decor that won't collapse on a burrower.
Advanced Keeper Notes
Enclosure & Microclimate
- A dry, packable substrate with cork or rock-like retreats works well; this species values secure tight hides.
- Keep humidity low but don't dehydrate tiny juveniles; a small damp patch can be used briefly, then allowed to dry.
- Give real depth (3-4+ in of packable substrate) plus flat bark to hide under. Keep the surface dry; the burrow itself stays a touch damper.
- Vent low on two opposite walls so air crosses the burrow layer; stagnant damp air behind cover is how cuticle fungus starts.
- Judge by hand, not a gauge: the top inch should read dry, the burrow base faintly cool and damp with no free water when squeezed.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Small crickets or roach nymphs around body length, smaller for instars; it hunts at night, so feed in the evening.
- Young every 4-7 days, adults every 1-2 weeks; remove uneaten feeders, especially before a molt.
- Matures over roughly 5-6 molts. Pull all feeders when it seals up to molt and leave the soft new molt undisturbed until it hardens.
Possible Origin / Range
- Likely native range: Arizona and Sonora sky-island mountain ranges: semi-arid rocky, oak-grassland slopes with a monsoon season, dry overall but not true desert.
- Habitat translation: A deep dry burrow with a stable, slightly moister core; bark hides on top; light hydration via a water dish and brief damp patches.
Advanced Keeper Details
- Settles better with compactable substrate and a starter hide to grip; track molts and hydration by behavior, not a fixed schedule.
- Room-temperature compatible: its native range drops well under 70°F in early spring, so no supplemental heat is needed; warmth just speeds growth.
- Most of the genus lives in humid soil and caves, but this species is the dry-habitat exception, so the dry setup above is correct for it specifically.