Animal-World > Reptiles and Amphibians > Scorpions > Emperor Scorpion

Emperor Scorpion

Family: Scorpionidae

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Pandinus imperatorPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Russ Gurley

     Despite it's formidable appearance and large size, the Emperor Scorpion is the ideal starter pet for a scorpion enthusiast!

     The African Emperor Scorpion is probably the most recognizable scorpion species (and possibly the most commonly kept invertebrate in the world). Thousands have been imported from Togo and Ghana. They have flooded the pet trade and have become very popular.

     Television shows play on the fierce appearance of this large, black scorpion. They are a large, shiny black scorpion with massive pincers and a thick robust body and tail. Despite their gruesome look, the sting of the Emperor Scorpion is mild, causing only localized pain which disappears after a few minutes.

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

Distribution:      Emperor Scorpions are widely distributed through West Africa in Guinea, Liberia, Togo, Ghana, Chad, Benin, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and in the Congo region.

Description:      The Emperor Scorpion is a large, black species. They are quite bulky and impressive and have a shiny, black granulated exoskeleton. The average size of a mature adult is between 5 - 8" (13 - 20 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 8 years.

Care and Feeding:      There is a tendency by keepers to feed their large, aggressive species lots of live mice. We suggest feeding even large scorpions a diverse diet consisting of adult crickets, grasshoppers, Tenebrio larvae, and only occasional feedings (once or twice a month) of mice. This variety more closely mirrors the diet of this scorpion nature and will keep them healthy.

Environment:      Emperor Scorpions live in burrows in moist forest areas. They can be kept in a 2 1/2 to 15-gallon terrarium depending on the number of scorpions. They do well under humid conditions. A substrate of damp sand and peat moss with a top layer of cypress mulch, at least 3" deep (4 - 6" is even better). Also provide a shallow, wide water dish. They will dig deep burrows if the substrate is suitable.

Temperature and Humidity requirements:      This species like it warm and humid. Keep the temperature maintained at about at 75 ° - 82  °F with the humidity level at 75 to 80%.

Social Behavior/Activities:      Typically scorpions are loners, but the Emperor Scorpion is a bit of an exception. The young will stay with their mothers and even as adults they 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:      The Emperor Scorpion is perhaps the most docile and easily handled of all the scorpions kept in captivity. Its large size and strong claws have obviously instilled in it less of a need for "fight or flight". It can be cupped in the palm of a your hand without mishap. If "tailed" they will often rear back and try to pinch. Their pinch is very strong and can be quite painful. Their sting is mild and they are usually unwilling to sting until they are pinned or grabbed carelessly.

Breeding/Reproduction:      If not overly obese, and if kept in a well-suited vivarium, the Emperor Scorpion will often breed and produce offspring in captivity. The pectines on the underside of scorpions can be inspected to give you an idea of your 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.      After a gestation period of seven months, a litter ranging in size from 15 to 40 young scorpions is produced. The young grow in the mother, are born live, and then will climb onto the mothers back. They are white at first, becoming darker when they molt. The mother scorpion will feed her young by killing an insect and leaving it on the floor of their enclosure. The baby scorpions will then descend from the mother's back and feed on the dead insect.

Even with a multitude of captive breedings, very few young Emperor Scorpions reach adulthood, many die from molting difficulties. Inability to exit their old skins from too dry conditions is proving to be the most commonly encountered problem. Large vivaria with a deep, damp substrate of sand and peat with multiple shelters and live plants have proven best for raising these large but delicate babies to maturity.

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:      These scorpions are commonly available from invertebrate dealers, reptile dealers, and most pet stores.      Emperor Scorpions are imported into the U.S. by the thousands each year. Captive breedings have also occurred but keepers have a difficult time keeping scorpions alive. They require humid conditions, a deep mulch substrate (which makes humidity difficult to monitor), and should not be overfed.

     In February 1995, the Emperor Scorpion was placed on the CITES II species list as threatened. Their numbers had been greatly reduced by over collection, especially in Togo and Ghana. Importing and exporting countries must issue a permit for international sale.

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Latest Comments
okay, i am interested in buying an emporer scorpion. but my grandmother says i cant. so im trying to convince her to let me have one by showing her i know how to take care of it. i have read about them and im not sure how to keep the tank humid? and hot at the same time? soo any info would be greatly appreciated. and any extra information would be even more appreciated. Jake Hamrick 2010-01-27
I have had a Scorpion as a classroom pet for a while now. It became very sluggish, and acts almost dead if not dead. I have added food, crickets, and it has plenty of water...am I missing something? How will I know if it does die? Should I wait for a period to see if it is just in molt, and recovers? James 2010-01-06
For in depth knowledge of arachnids, you should visit a hobbyist site like arachnoboards, scorpionforums, insect geeks, and the like. Ryan 2010-01-05
We just rescued a tank of 4 large, shiny, black scorpions after they were left in an empty apartment. We haven't had scorpions before and need to know if there is a way to tell they are really Emperor scorpions? And we were told one might be pregnant-should she stay in with the rest if she does have babies? (We are starting with zero information so this website has been great.)Thanks all GML 2009-12-27
I just got an emperor as an early christmas present. I set it up in 5 gal with a undertank heater, and it went directly into the hideaway. Wen i tried to add some moss around the cage, it came out, pinchers in the air and started shaking. =/ is that a normal behavior? is it the temp? I heard of "juddering", but isnt it a mating behavior? im just nervous, never had a scorpion before. Is that something I should be worried about? Jocelyn 2009-12-18
Some of the coolest comments:
Everything about these magnificent living creatures is amazing, i highly recomend them as pets. I have a male and a female. Fortunately my female is such a sweetheart, shes actually mellow enough to chill out and walk around on your hand. ill walk around with her on my shoulder. The male on the other hand wont let you get even the slightest, close to him. The stings feel like taps, the pincers on the other...OUCH! In other words you'll know exactly how each ones individual personality is. i started with her on a table and without stressing her walked her back on to my hand, slow and steady is key, twitch and theyll get ya. can ya blame em. DONT GET A SCORPION IF YOUR ALERGIC TO BEE STINGS! Another bit of advise, dont start aggressive. The flatrock scorpion is similar to the emperor but different in appearence. the desert hair is also similar just dont recommend handling them and they are slightly more toxic, but usually only results in a small area with strong pain that goes away in a couple minutes. look em up...you'll like them jeff 2006-06-21
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I bought an emperor scorpion today an I really wanna handle it but I know I should let it adjust to its home first. I really wanna sex it and find out what it is. I'm super nervous and am afraid its going to starve or something bad will happen to it. I'm glad i found this page because it has given me ALOT of information that the worker at the pet store didn't. I definitely need a bigger tank. I need to know how should I keep the tank nice and humid, just mist the moss?... Well if you have any pointers, (please add them). Thanks alot cassandra h from tucson 2008-01-31

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