COMMON NAME

Emperor Scorpion. Imperial Scorpion

LATIN NAME

Pandinus imperator

NATIVE TO

West Africa

ADULT SIZE

6in/15cm. Can live up to 8 years or more.

EGGS OR YOUNG?

Gives birth to 3-90 live young who then climb on the mother's back and ride around til their first moult. New born scorpions are soft and white and are called nymphs

APPEARANCE

One of the largest of the scorpion family. They are normally a blue/black colour but can vary between shades of brown and black. Their claws are very broad, slightly hairy and covered with distinctive bumps

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Feed once every 2 weeks or so. They eat invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms, large grubs, caterpillars and wax-moth larvae. Do not overfeed as this can be fatal

EASE OF CARE

Beginner upwards

TEMPERAMENT

They are not deadly but can pinch and their sting is of similar strength to a bee sting. Handle carefully by taking the scorpion by its sting and lifting it quickly onto your palm. They are social and can be kept together in captivity although some fighting is inevitable. They spend most of their time under rocks or in burrows. Nocturnal.

VIVARIUM SETUP

A vivarium 24x12x12in/60x30x30cm will house one.
Rainforest-type climate.
Provide wood, logs and rocks for burrows but keep some of the ground clear. Mist daily to maintain humidity.
Temperature 77-86F/25-30C. Relative humidity of 70-80%.
Under-tank heatpad required.

SUBSTRATE

Orchid bark, vermiculite, 70% soil & 30% peat mix or for a more naturalistic viv use a mixture of aquarium sand, peat and small grade gravel to the depth of 5-6in/13-15cm deep.