Species Overview
- Common Names: Emperor Scorpion, Imperial Scorpion
- Scientific Name: Pandinus Imperator
- Distribution: Found in several African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon
- Adult Size: About 6″ long
- Life Expectancy: 6 to 8 years
Scorpions are becoming increasingly popular as pets, especially Emperor Scorpions. There is a lot to like about Emperor Scorpions. They are not great for handling but quiet, clean, and easy to maintain. And, as far as scorpions go, they are docile. This scorpion is most often recommended for first-time scorpion owners (although not advisable as a pet for young children).
About the Emperor Scorpion
Emperor Scorpion Pet Care: Habitat Set-Up
Habitat
- A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for one scorpion, but a 20-gallon to 30-gallon tank is necessary for groups. Please don’t give them too much space. It makes catching their prey difficult.
- Glass aquarium tanks are the most accessible housing. The tank should have a tight-fitting and secure lid.
- Provide pieces of bark, flat stones, or reptile hides as hiding spots for your scorpion. You’ll want to provide a couple more hiding spots than you have scorpions so they can each have their own space.
- If there is any sign of aggression between the scorpions, consider separating them to prevent injuries.
- Emperor Scorpions will move the cage decorations and furnishings around. It’s healthy, don’t undo their work. It may stress them out.
Heating
- Emperor Scorpions need a temperature gradient between 70° and 90° F.
- The easiest way to provide this heating gradient is by using a heating mat. The mat should go under no more than about 1/3 of the tank so that your Emperor Scorpion can move from warmer to cooler temperatures as desired.
- Always verify appropriate temperatures by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the cage.
- Emperor Scorpion habitats should have a high humidity level (75%) maintained by regular, daily misting.
Substrates
- Emperor Scorpions need a deep layer of substrate. You can use soil, peat, or vermiculite. Whatever you choose should be reasonably deep (three to six inches) to allow your scorpion to dig and burrow.
- Adding pieces of sphagnum moss on top of the substrate also aids in retaining moisture in the environment.
- The substrate should remain damp but not wet. If there is mold on the substrate or condensation on the tank’s walls, the humidity is too high.
Emperor Scorpion Pet Care: Diet and Nutrition
- Feed your Emperor Scorpion a diet of gut-loaded, calcium-dusted crickets supplemented with other insects such as mealworms.
- An adult Emperor Scorpion will eat about three to six adult crickets weekly and feed every other night.
- Emperor Scorpions are nocturnal like all other scorpions, so feed them at night.
Water
- Provide a shallow water dish that allows the scorpion to drink if it needs to, but not deep enough that it can drown.
Pet Safety
- Use caution when handling pets, and remember they may bite or scratch (especially when stressed).
- Supervise children around pets.
- ALL ANIMALS can potentially carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases contagious to humans.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after contact with any pet or its habitat.
- Adults should assist children with handwashing after contact with a pet, its habitat, or aquarium water.
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