This is an adult female scorpion of a species called Javanimetrus cyaneus, commonly known as the ASIAN BLUE FOREST SCORPION. In the wild this species is found in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asian countries including Borneo, other parts of Indonesia and the Philippines.

On 16th February 2024 this female had her first ever babies (known as scorplings). Here she is just hours after giving birth with her scorplings all over her back! 

When they are newly born, scorplings are completely reliant on their mother as they are unable to protect themselves. Their bodies are incredibly soft and they do not even have a stinger at this stage. On February 28th, twelve days after being born, all of the babies moulted or removed their first ever exoskeleton and looked much more like true scorpions, rather than the blobs of jelly they look like as newly-born scorplings! 

Within 24hrs of moulting, all of the scorplings had left their mum’s back to start living independently. This was the first time I was able to accurately count them and there were 18 scorplings. They are extremely cute at this stage as you can see below!

Scorplings grow and change so much in their early lives and these are no exception. Within five months of hatching the babies look so much more like miniature versions of their parents, as you can see below!