Stanley is my pet vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus). I brought him (sex yet to be accurately determined, was captured as a juvenile) home from my trip to Arizona last August, and for a while he was a wonderful companion. He would dig new tunnels almost every day, and diligently ate his crickets. But about five months ago, he dug a tunnel without an exit. He stayed in that tunnel without once leaving for water or food. I could usually see him from the bottom and could see him move, so I knew he wasn’t dead. I have a feeling this move coincided with the “dry season” in Arizona, and he waited to emerge until the “wet season” had begun. I wonder how he could tell all the way from CT!

I knew he had emerged when it looked as though the entire tank had been turned upside down. Piles of dirt everywhere, water dish filled in (he loves to do that).

He’s incredibly skinny now, but quickly catching crickets, as you can see above. I’m hoping he’ll soon be plump and energetic as usual.