Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Scorpion Constant-Temperature Breeding Technology

In the past, people mistakenly believed that constant-temperature scorpion breeding and room-temperature scorpion breeding seemed to be the same thing, but this is not the case. From room-temperature scorpion breeding to constant-temperature scorpion breeding, there must be an evolutionary process. Through dissection, it has been found that during the filling period before molting in scorpions of the same age, the blind sacs storing accumulated nutrients in constant-temperature-bred scorpions are larger than those in room-temperature-bred scorpions, and the surrounding cellular tissue is more developed. This is an important reason why constant-temperature-bred scorpions grow faster, and they have also evolved through multiple generations of constant-temperature breeding. After clearly distinguishing and mastering the respective rearing characteristics, it is necessary to select varieties according to the respective rearing forms, which is very important for increasing the output of artificially bred scorpions.

So-called constant-temperature breeding refers to the use of artificial heating methods to keep the temperature of the breeding space always within the range suitable for normal growth and reproduction of scorpions, without being affected by the external environment and seasonal changes. Therefore, it is also called “winter rearing,” “rapid breeding,” and “non-diapause breeding.”

Constant-temperature breeding, by changing the adverse effects of environmental conditions (mainly low temperature) on the growth, development, and reproduction of scorpions, breaks the dormancy caused by low winter temperatures under natural conditions, thereby enabling scorpions to grow, develop, and reproduce normally throughout all four seasons of the year. At the same time, because breeding is carried out under relatively “constant temperature” conditions (rather than fluctuating “variable temperature” conditions), the growth and development speed of scorpions can be accelerated and the life cycle shortened. That is, from requiring 3 to 4 years under room temperature to develop into adult scorpions, it is shortened to only about 8 months to develop into adult scorpions; adult female scorpions also go from giving birth only once per year under natural temperature conditions to achieving a stable 2 births per year. Therefore, constant-temperature scorpion breeding can be expected to obtain higher economic benefits than scorpion breeding at room temperature and has broader development prospects.

Compared with room-temperature scorpion breeding, constant-temperature scorpion breeding does not differ much in breeding methods, mainly including pond breeding, rack breeding, basin breeding, box breeding, etc.; in terms of breeding scale, it can also be divided into large, medium, and small types, all of which can be adapted to local conditions. However, in terms of breeding equipment, measures for heating during low-temperature seasons are essential. This is the most important technical key to constant-temperature breeding.

Scorpions for constant-temperature breeding are fast-growing scorpions with strong adaptability obtained through multiple generations of replacement, selection, and crossbreeding. Their internal cellular tissue is developed, physiological functions are accelerated, and they remain in a high-circulation state for a long time. During the rearing process, their dependence on seasonal growth is completely changed, and they are artificially cultivated according to the necessary conditions required by scorpions of each instar during growth. They are highly dependent on temperature and respond relatively steadily to sound, vibration, and light. From their appearance, constant-temperature-bred scorpions have yellow, nearly transparent appendages and terminal body, a black body with yellow and glossy appearance, and a broad, plump abdomen, 2 to 4 mm wider than wild scorpions, with a comparatively milder temperament. The average body weight of wild scorpions is about 1.39 grams each, while each constant-temperature-bred scorpion weighs more than 0.17 grams more than wild scorpions.

1. The development and significance of constant-temperature scorpion breeding  At present, most scorpions bred in households are domesticated from wild scorpions, so the living habits of the two are basically the same. As a poikilothermic animal, the scorpion goes through 4 life stages in the wild state in one year: from Awakening of Insects to Pure Brightness is the recovery period; from Pure Brightness to White Dew is the growth and breeding period; from White Dew to Frost Descent is the nutrient storage period; from Beginning of Winter to Awakening of Insects is the hibernation period. In these 4 stages, temperature and humidity are the main conditions determining the survival of scorpions.

For scorpions living in the wild, it takes about 3 years from newborn scorpion to adult scorpion, an extremely long time. If the hibernation habit of scorpions can be artificially changed so that scorpions do not hibernate, it means that the growth cycle of scorpions will be shortened and economic benefits will also be greatly increased.

Since temperature is the primary factor affecting the growth and development of scorpions, we artificially and constantly control the temperature of the scorpion house and make full use of various ecological factors to create a constant-temperature environment suitable for the growth and development of scorpions, thereby preventing scorpions from hibernating and keeping them in an optimal state of bodily activity throughout the four seasons. This is the constant-temperature scorpion breeding method.

Compared with traditional room-temperature scorpion breeding, constant-temperature scorpion breeding represents great progress. First, it solves the problem of “winter scorpions dying in spring” that easily occurs in room-temperature scorpion breeding, avoids large numbers of deaths when scorpions emerge from dormancy, and greatly improves the survival rate of scorpions; second, constant-temperature scorpion breeding shortens the growth cycle of scorpions to a great extent, shortening it by nearly 30 months compared with room-temperature scorpion breeding. Third, it increases the number of births per pregnancy, increasing the number of reproductions from 1 time per year under room temperature to 2 to 3 times now, and the birth rate per pregnancy has also increased substantially. In other words, the scorpion output per practical unit area increases by 7 to 8 times per year compared with room-temperature breeding. Practice in scorpion breeding in recent years has proven that with scientific rearing and scientific management, the economic benefits of the constant-temperature scorpion breeding method are very considerable. For this reason, constant-temperature scorpion breeding technology has also become a new hotspot for current breeders engaged in scorpion breeding.