D3257: Replicating climate conditions from southern Arizona induces ecdysial behaviors in vinegaroons

The giant vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) is often referred to as the gateway arachnid because its large size and mild temperament make them very approachable. While their general husbandry is well documented, records of ecdysial behaviors are sporadic or non existent. Wild populations are reported to go through ecdysis once a year during the same period (March-May) and few ecdysial events for captive follow the same trends. Ecdysis is important to the health and growth of many invertebrates and is often critical to time breeding events. Most captive M. giganteus are collected from southern Arizona, and by replicating yearly climatic cycles from this area, we have induced ecdysial behaviors.