Animal-World > Reptiles and Amphibians > Scorpions > Malaysian Forest Scorpion

Malaysian Forest ScorpionGiant Forest Scorpion, Giant Blue Scorpion, Asian Forest Scorpion

Family: Scorpionidae

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Heterometrus spiniferPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Russ Gurley

     This hardy and attractive scorpion, the Malaysian Forest Scorpion is often confused with the Emperor Scorpion, but is much more aggressive!

     The Malaysian Forest Scorpions or Asian Forest Scorpion is hardy, quiet, and easy to care for. It is also impressive to look at. But unlike the Emperor Scorpion it is not handleable. It is quite defensive and will readily sting when it feels cornered or in danger.

     At a glance these large, shiny black scorpions are often mistaken for the commonly kept Emperor Scorpion. However, the Asian Forest Scorpion is similar to the Emperor Scorpion only in looks and not in behavior. They are very aggressive and unlike the Emperor Scorpion, this species is not as likely to settle down in captivity. It can be distinguished from the Emperor in that it is slightly more elongated and its pedipalps and claws are larger and more elongated.

For more Information on keeping scorpions see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Invertebrate

Distribution:      Malaysian Forest Scorpions are found in a wide range over southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, and most imports arrive from Thailand.

The Malaysian Forest Scorpion is also often confused with is its cousin, the true Asian Forest Scorpion Heterometrus longimanus. However, the Malaysian Forest Scorpion is significantly larger.

Description:     The Malaysian Forest Scorpion is a large, black species very similar in appearance to the Emperor Scorpion. It has a shiny, black granulated exoskeleton. The average size of a mature adult is about 6" (16 cm). They reach sexual maturity at about 4 years in the wild, (though in captivity it can be closer to 1 year) and have an average life span of about 7 to 8 years.

Care and Feeding:      This scorpion feeds on large insects such as crickets, locusts and even small mice.

Environment:      The Malaysian Forest Scorpion does well under humid conditions. They can be kept in a 2 1/2 to 15-gallon terrarium depending on the number of scorpions. A substrate of damp sand and peat moss with a top layer of cypress mulch, about 3" deep. Also provide a shallow, wide water dish. A sheet of cork bark or similar shelter should be added to the Malaysian Forest Scorpion's enclosure.

Temperature and Humidity requirements:      This species like it warm and humid. Keep the enclosure maintained at about at 75 ° - 90  °F with the humidity level at 75 to 80%.

Social Behavior/Activities:     Typically scorpions are loners, but like the Emperor Scorpions, this scorpion is a bit of an exception. Adults can be kept in groups of three or more. They can get into occasional scraps, and it is usually over a cricket. So be sure they are given enough food. It also helps to provide more hiding places than you have scorpions.

Handling:      Use paintbrushes, deli cups, foam-covered tweezers, and coated rubber gloves to move this scorpion as it can potentially give a painful sting. Scorpions are best considered display animals rather than "hands-on" pets.      Stings are common and involve quite a bit more pain than was expected by victims. Redness, pain, and swelling are reported which in many cases lasted for several days. Several species of Heterometrus have even been known to cause such extreme consequences as paralysis and breathing difficulties.

Breeding/Reproduction:     Females are often bulkier and have thinner pincers than the males. These differences, however, can be subtle. The pectines on the underside of scorpions can be inspected to give the you an idea of their scorpion's sex. Place the scorpion in a clear plastic tub and hold it up to inspect the underside of the scorpion. Typically, males have longer combs on their pectines and females have shorter and often fewer combs on their pectines.      The male quickly grasps the pincers of the female and begins a shaking action known as "juddering". Then, after a short shoving match, the male deposits a spermatophore onto the substrate and positions the female over the packet of sperm. The female lowers her abdomen and picks up the spermatophore into her genital opening. The two separate and often beat a hasty retreat in opposite directions.

Ailments:      Scorpions are generally quite hardy and adaptable if they are provided with the right environment. A few signs that may indicate that your pet is not acting or feeling normal are a loss of appetite, acting listless or sluggish, having an overly swollen stomach, and missing or deformed limbs. Another problem can be an infestation of mites.

• Molting: One of the most common reasons for the death in scorpions is the molt. The scorpion has a tough outer covering, a cuticle, that forms a rigid exoskeleton. All scorpions must shed their old exoskeleton and secrete a new one in order to grow, this is called the molt. Scorpions will molt from 6 to 10 times during their lifetime. This molting process takes a lot of energy and they are very vulnerable for a couple of days after the molt until their new skin hardens
       For about 24 hours prior to molting it is not unusual for a scorpion to get quite sluggish.
       A difficult molt can result in lost or deformed limbs, or death. This is thought to be related to humidity levels. There can be either too much humidity or too little, depending on the species. In captivity a lot of immature scorpions die during the molting process.
• Other Problems: Though many scorpions can go for long periods of time without eating, overfeeding can cause an overly swollen stomach as well as the loss of appetite, and even death. The stomach can be slightly swollen from regular eating, and this is not a problem.
       Another problem can be an infestation of Mites. Uneaten food can attract mites, which are very dangerous and stressful to scorpions. Be sure to remove old food.

Availability:      Malaysian Forest Scorpions are found in large numbers in nature and are thus imported in large numbers. They are commonly available as wild-caught specimens from a lot of invertebrate and reptile dealers. Unfortunately to date they have only been produced in captivity a few times.

Author: Russ Gurley
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CRS.
Edited by Animal-World.

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Scorpions are not hermaphrodites. The male and female will clench pedipalps and "judder," sometimes "cheliceral kiss", release, and the male will deposit his spermatophore and guide the female over it. She picks it up, then you get mini scorpions later. Reply john 2010-01-24
Scorpions are hermaphrodite they get pregnant every 6 months. mine gave give birth twice and 18 pcs. Reply jeff 2009-10-06
Yeah do you have a pic of your scorpion? anyway i have two malaysian forest scorpion and at 1st stage like 5-8 months young the skin is like dark green and now my malaysian forest scorpion is 1 and 3 months old and they molted 4 times already.. and now their color are pure black.. size is like 4 inches up to tail. You can also check the pix of my malaysian forest scorpion on my gallery. Raejie Juance Scorpion Pictures Reply Raejie Juance 2008-04-14
Well, I had one scorpion. It was kind of bluish green and I don't actually know if it was an emperor or a malaysian. It was not aggressive but it pinched me a lot of times. It ate geckos and other stuff (because in the Philippines you can't find good feeders without great cost). It was not that aggressive either, it usually crawled onto my palm if I placed my palm in front of it. Unfortunately it died because I was ignorant in taking care of it at that time. It lived for only 3 weeks in my care, but I'm planning to buy another one so I've read a lot of info about both species of scorpions. I live in the Philippines and would like to know what kind it was. Again, it was bluish green and it was very cheap, costing only 500 - 700 pesos, about 8-13 bucks. Reply VALJEAN 2008-03-13
I wonder if it is good to feed a lizard to these scorpion. My scorpions are already 11 months old but they just molted like three times. Reply Jing Juance 2008-03-11
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Some of the bestest comments - here's the beef!
In general scorpions are not hermaphroditic but there are several species which are. I live in malaysia and we have plenty of spinifex here. My experience is that these animals are not very aggressive and can be handled, but they do not do very well in captivity unless they are left in peace. A friend of mine has several which live quite happily in his old shoes. They eat more or less anything they can seize hold of including imprudent geckos. Reply Julian constantine 2010-02-11
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