Description:

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The Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus Imperator) can be found throughout the various forests and grasslands of Western Africa.

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Their appearance is large and stocky with large formidable pinchers and a long pointed tail. Their color is jet black and possesses a sheen. As within all scorpions, when exposed to ultraviolet light, they will glow brightly. The reason for this trait, as of yet is unknown.

 

They are the epitome of what most people will picture when thinking of a scorpion. This is likely due to their frequent use in film and television on account of their relatively docile nature.

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These are terrestrial animals that are known to dig extensive burrows which they use to hide and escape from light and dehydration.

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Scorpions are part of the arachnid family. Like tarantulas, and other arthropods they posses hard exoskeletons which must regularly be shed through a process known as moulting. A scorpion must endure this procedure in order to grow larger and reach maturity. This is a difficult time for an arthropod, and it requires a store of accumulated energy to complete. For a period of time prior to moulting scorpions may appear lethargic and show a disinterest in food. Like tarantulas it is imperative that a scorpion is provided with adequate humidity and is not disturbed while moulting, as doing so can easily lead to their injury or death. After the moulting process, the scorpion will require a few days for its fresh exoskeleton to harden before the offering of food should be resumed.

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Size:

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The Emperor Scorpion is widely recognized as one of the worlds largest species of scorpion. A full grown specimen can grow to excess of 8 inches in length  (20+ centimeters).

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At the beginning of their lives they will appear very small and be colored white (with an almost translucent look to them). During this period they will stay close to their mother, who will carry them around on her back for their protection and safety. This is a perilous time in their lives, as their small size and lack of defense makes them easy prey for other animals. It is also crucial to keep their nestmates and mother well fed during this time, or they may become a viable snack for a larger scorpion.

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With each successive molt they will grow substantially larger.  Within the first 2-3 years of their life they will reach sexual maturity, but will continue growing much larger well after having reached this breeding age.

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Temperament:

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As far as scorpions go, Emperor scorpions are regarded as docile and shy. They will tolerate occasional handling, but should still be afforded the respect they deserve. Remember that being tolerant does not mean that they enjoy or appreciate human interaction - rather are just fearful of it. Putting them under this constant stress may eventually lead to a less accepting disposition or cause them health problems.

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Being scorpions they do possess venom which they can inject through a tail sting. Reportedly this venom is typically mild though, with some people even comparing it to that of the sting of a bee. With that being said, people with sensitivity to bee stings should still be more cautious than the average person towards such an encounter.

 

While hesitant to use their sting unless continuously provoked, the Emperor scorpions main method of defense is their strong pincher grip. It will cause a bit of pain, even if not capable of breaking the skin of an adult human being. However, they can be reluctant to let go, and during this struggle may feel more encouraged to lash out with a sting.

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Housing:

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Emperor scorpions do not require a lot of space, and like most arachnids, will spend most of their time within one small confined space where they feel secure. They can be kept solitary or with nest mates. One scorpion can easily be kept within a 10 gallon terrarium, but it is important to size up slightly for any additional scorpions that are added. 

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They will readily make use of any hiding spots that are provided, and as such should be provided with multiple places in which to find solitude.

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Temperature and Humidity:

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Emperor scorpions need high humidity levels in order to flourish and properly moult. Daily misting, proper substrate and water dishes should be utilized in order to maintain a minimum humidity level of 75%. The inside of their enclosure should typically have damp (but not swampy) areas. I will often pour a small cup of treated water into the side of their enclosure at which they do not congregate in order to dampen the lower layers of their substrate. 

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For their well being, your scorpions will need a constant source of high heat.  70 degrees Fahrenheit being the absolute minimum - with an ideal temperature being closer to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above. As with any other captive animal, try to provide a gradient within their enclosure by keeping the sources of heat emission to one side of their tank. This will allow them to self regulate their body heat as they feel the need. 

 

My recommended heat source for captive scorpions is a high powered heating mat attached to their enclosure. If lighting is to be used, it should be through the use of a ceramic or infrared bulb, as will be explained in the next section.

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Lighting:

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Scorpions do not like light. They are nocturnal animals and will actively seek out dark places in which to escape from it. Constant exposure to light will in fact cause them stress and lead to eventual health issues.

 

It is recommended to not disturb them during day time hours as much as possible. They will be most active during nighttime - when they emerge to hunt and explore the boundaries of their enclosure. During this time, you can optionally make use of an infrared bulb for their observation.

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Substrate:

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Being burrowing animals, they should be given a decent amount of substrate in which to dig if they feel so inclined.  A layer of coco-fiber or potting soil with a minimum depth of three inches is adequate, but other sources of bedding can also be used - provided it does a decent job at holding humidity.

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Adding moss to their enclosure is also a great way to keep humidity levels up, but be sure to regularly inspect and remove it if any mold begins to form.

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Diet:

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Captive kept Emperor scorpions should be fed store bought or self-bred feeder insects. They will eat a variety of items such as superworms, waxworms and cockroaches, but can sustain themselves perfectly well on a staple diet of crickets.

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As a reference point, 6-8 large crickets weekly per adult scorpion is more than a substantial amount of food on which they can survive. Occasionally dust these prey items with calcium powder to ensure your scorpion is receiving nutrition that would otherwise be lacking from a strictly insect based diet. 

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Always provide scorpions with a shallow water dish filled with treated water. Like tarantulas, they will make use of it sparingly (getting most of their hydration through feeding), but will occasionally feel the need to drink.

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Lifespan:

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The lifespan of an Emperor Scorpion will generally range from 6-8 years.

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