Emperor Scorpion
Carnivore: Eats insects, small animals, fruit files, crickets
Geography: West Africa
Habitat: Rainforests
Interesting facts:
- Emperor scorpions hunt at night and use sensory hairs on their body
- They have large claws that help them defend themselves against predators
- They have a venomous stinger however it is rarely used
- Females carry their young on their backs
- They have pectines on their legs to help them detect prey due to their poor eyesight
- Their stringers are venomous to animals but only hold the weight of a bee sting to a human
How poisonous are emperor scorpions?
Emperor scorpions depend on their large claws to hunt and protect themselves, and only have a mildly venomous sting. Emperor scorpions are most active at night and rely on sensory hairs on their body to find prey, making up for their poor vision.
What happens if you get stung by an Emperor Scorpion?
Their sting is similar to a bee sting—it’s painful, but medical attention or intervention is not usually necessary. That being said, like with bees, some people may get an anaphylactic or severe allergic reaction to the venom, which would require medical attention.
Are emperor scorpions aggressive?
Behavior: Although they tend to live communally and are social animals, they are the most timid of all scorpions and non-aggressive except for female after birth. Will flee rather than fight unless cornered. Burrow beneath the soil, often in termite mounds, and hide in debris.
Is an emperor scorpion a good pet?
The Emperor scorpion, Pandinus imperatoris, is gaining popularity as a pet. Originating in African forests, Emperor scorpions are relatively docile and typically do no show signs of aggression unless threatened.
Emperor Scorpions: What to Know
Scorpions are commonly presented as frightful, intimidating creatures in movies and shows. They’re found throughout the world as threats, pests, and even pets.
Some scorpion species are much safer than others. The list of reasonably safe species includes the emperor scorpion. In some parts of the world, these creatures are pests, but they’re also kept as pets. Learn how to identify the emperor scorpion so you’ll know what to do if you encounter one in any environment.
What Are Emperor Scorpions?
All scorpions are arachnids — just like tarantulas and other spiders. Different scorpion species are found in warm climates around the world.
The scientific name for the emperor scorpion is Pandinus imperator.
They’re actually popular pets because, despite their looks, they’re not very aggressive.
What do emperor scorpions look like? Emperor scorpions are one of the largest types of scorpions on earth. They can grow to nearly 8 inches in length and tend to weigh more than species of similar sizes.
They have strong shells on the outside of their bodies instead of an internal skeletal system.
Their bodies are almost entirely black. One fun fact about this — and other — scorpion species is that their bodies take on a bright blue-green color under UV light.
Emperor scorpions have a lot of different appendages coming from their main body. These include:
Two large pincers on the front of their body
Four legs — two on each side of their abdomen
A long tail that ends in a stinger
EMPEROR SCORPION
The Emperor Scorpion, scientifically known as Pandinus imperator, is one of the most recognizable arachnids in the world of terrarium invertebrates. Being one of the largest scorpion species, their impressive size and striking appearance have fascinated many arachnid enthusiasts.
Emperor Scorpions are indigenous to the tropical rainforests and savannas of West Africa. Their habitat includes countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast. They are usually found in leaf litter and burrows, where they seek shelter from the bright sun and heat of the African day.
While Emperor Scorpions are typically solitary in the wild, some experienced keepers have managed to house them together. However, it’s crucial to note that aggression and stress can arise in group settings, so it’s recommended to keep them individually.
HISTORY
The Emperor Scorpion hails from the African continent and has a history intertwined with the myth and folklore of various African tribes. This arachnid’s scientific name, Pandinus imperator, alludes to its regal appearance and dominance in the scorpion world. The Emperor Scorpion has a lineage that dates back millions of years, making it a living relic from a bygone era. Fossil records reveal that scorpions, in general, have been around for at least 430 million years, predating the existence of dinosaurs. The Emperor Scorpion, as a member of this ancient order, carries with it a legacy of survival and adaptation that is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
In recent history, these scorpions have gained popularity, primarily due to their striking appearance and manageable size. Their adaptation to captivity, docile nature (compared to many other scorpion species), and ease of care have made them a favored choice among arachnid enthusiasts.
CHARACTERISTICS
Emperor Scorpions belong to the family Scorpionidae in the Genus Pandanus.
Emperor Scorpions are known for their docile and slow-moving nature. Their exoskeleton is jet black, but like other scorpions, it glows pastel green or blue under ultraviolet light. The long, segmented tail ends in a venomous stinger, a characteristic common to all scorpions. However, they are more likely to use their large, blackish-red, powerful pincers for defense rather than their venomous stinger.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Emperor Scorpions have relatively mild venom compared to some other scorpion species. Their stings are not life-threatening to humans, causing, at most, mild pain and localized swelling. Nonetheless, handling should be approached with caution, as some individuals may have allergic reactions to their venom.
Emperor Scorpions are known for their imposing size, with adults reaching lengths of up to 8 inches or 20 cm and weighing 30g.
In captivity, Emperor Scorpions typically have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. However, with appropriate care and attention, they may live even longer.
IN THE WILD
In the wild, Emperor Scorpions are typically found on the forest floor, where they burrow into the soil and hide under logs and rocks, and in leaf litter. The bright sun and high temperatures of the African day make them seek shelter to protect themselves from the heat. Being primarily terrestrial creatures they rarely climb. Their habitat consists of a mix of moist and dry environments, but they prefer areas with adequate humidity to prevent desiccation.
Emperor Scorpions are predominantly nocturnal hunters. Under the shroud of darkness, they emerge from their burrows in search of prey. The tail and pincers are covered with sensory hairs, enabling the detection of prey through vibrations. Emperor scorpions are opportunistic predators: their diet primarily consists of insects, other arachnids, and, on occasion, small vertebrates like lizards and rodents. A large portion of their wild diet consists of termites: in order to catch them, they are known to burrow through termite mounds up to 6 feet deep. Their large claws help in tearing apart prey while their tail stinger injects venom at the same time for liquifying food. Juveniles mostly rely on their venomous sting to paralyze prey while adults use their large claws to catch and tear the prey apart.
Where Do Emperor Scorpions Live?
Emperor scorpions originated in west Africa. Today you’re most likely to find them in:
- Nigeria
- Togo
- Sierra Leone
- Ghana
- The Congo
They prefer hot, humid forests. In their natural environments, you can find them:
- Under leaf litter and other forest debris
- On stream banks
- In termite mounds
They also thrive in places where humans live. If you live in the emperor scorpion’s range, you’ll likely find communities of them within your own home.
Emperor scorpions in the pet trade are typically imported from Ghana and Togo.
Young scorpions have the same body plan as adults. They go through several molts as they grow in size.
In captivity, the average emperor scorpion’s lifespan is 5 to 8 years. They likely have shorter lifespans in the wild.
What do emperor scorpions eat? In their natural habitat, emperor scorpions prefer to eat termites. They can survive off all kinds of insects, other arthropods, and small vertebrates.
Signs You Have Emperor Scorpions
Seeing an emperor scorpion in your home is an obvious sign that these large pests have found a way in. If you see one, there could easily be more. Emperor scorpions are communal animals. People have observed them living in groups of up to 15 individuals.
If you find one, you should safely take care of it. Then start to systematically hunt for others. Check underneath objects on your floor and look for openings in your home that are large enough for a scorpion to get through.
Emperor scorpions are nocturnal, so they’re most active at night. If some are in your home, there’s a good chance they won’t start wandering around until it’s dark. Try waiting until evening to look and listen for signs of more in your building.
Why Do You Get Emperor Scorpions?
Emperor scorpions are looking for areas where they can shelter as a group. If you have emperor scorpions in your home, then you likely live in an area where they’re common. It also means that your house has some sort of open entryway that they can use. This could be a crack in your foundation or a gap in a windowsill or door frame.
Health Risks of Emperor Scorpions
The main risk posed by emperor scorpions is in the form of their attacks. But in the wild, they prefer to run from a fight. Keep this fact in mind if you encounter them in your home.
The Pandinus imperator, or Emperor Scorpion is a large scorpion that is native to Africa. These are one of the most popular scorpions in the hobby and can regularly be found in pet stores and reptile expos and favored as a great beginner species due to their size, temperament, ease of care, and low venom potency. They are not great for handling but they are amazing to watch. This species looks very similar to its cousin the Pandinus viatoris or the Red Cave Scorpion that is also from Africa but the Red Cave Scorpion seems to be a little smaller in size and their claws are more red in color and hints of blue. This species is also often mistaken with the Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer) with many pet stores mislabeling them and selling Asian forest scorpions as Emperor scorpions. Asian Forest Scorpions are a little bit smaller and more territorial and slightly more aggressive than the P. imperator. Emperors have rough pincers, which also tend to be shorter but thicker than the Asian Forest. Asian Forest scorpions lack the red coloration that emperor scorpion pincers often exhibit, and their telson and aculeus are black, while emperor scorpions tend to have yellow to reddish yellow telson as juveniles that turn red as they mature. Even as babies there’s a distinct visual difference, as emperor scorpion scorplings usually show quite visible red pigmentation in their pincers, which is completely absent in baby Asian Forest scorpions that are very black. The Emperor Scorpion grows about 6 inches in size, with some claiming up to over 7.5 inches and can live between 6-8 years. They may be the largest scorpion in the world, but the longest scorpion is actually the Flat Rock Scorpion.
Compared to other scorpions, the Emperor scorpion is not nearly as “hot” as other species, meaning its venom is not as dangerous or painful if you were to get stung. In fact, you probably wont feel much discomfort or have any serious problems unless you are allergic and have an anaphylactic reaction. In my experience, they seem much more likely to pinch you than try and sting you. Interestingly, some molecules that make up their venom are currently under research, as scientists believe that they could have properties against malaria and other harmful bacteria. They have large, powerful claw so a pinch could be painful but they are a mostly docile species and only attempt to pinch or sting when they feel threatened. The risk with handling this species is more due to the harm that could come to the scorpion than the harm they could inflict on the handler. Like tarantulas, scorpions can bolt short distances, usually faster than you can react. And they have an exoskeleton that is not designed to handle falls from substantial heights. They spend most of their time burrowed underground and coming out at night to crawl around on the surface. They are not arboreal, meaning they aren’t normally climbing high into trees. So when handling a scorpion, if it were to suddenly bolt, it is very possible that it could fall off your hand or arm and risk rupture once it hit the ground. So it is always best to avoid handling unless you take precautions like handling over a table or while sitting on the ground to greatly reduce the distance of a fall should the scorpion attempt to get away from you.
Due to the tropical environment in the enclosure, it is important to remove dead and uneaten prey or leftovers as soon as possible as that can attract mites, mold and gnats. Another option is to keep this species in a bioactive enclosure. Springtails will thrive in the damp substrate and work as a clean up crew to help break down any organic materials. Some people like to also include isopods, but that can be a little risky as isopods need calcium in their diet and there have been reports of them turning to the scorpion, especially one that is molting, to feed on them for their calcium. And if you include live plants, you will need light for the plants so you will need plenty of dark hides for your scorpion to retreat to.
There are some reports that this species can be kept in a communal enclosure successfully, but usually it is not recommended. Like most scorpions, they can be territorial and exhibit cannibalism if not well fed and kept in close proximity. If you keep 4 or 5 of them in a 20 gallon enclosure with a few more hides than there are scorpions and keep them well fed, you may be successful. Another reason it may not be recommended, because if you are keeping males and females together, you may end up with a lot of baby scorpions, more than you are prepared to care for. So only consider keeping them in a communal if you have done all your research and have kept a single specimen successfully for an extended amount of time.
They are hardy, large and fairly docile. They are gorgeous and a lot of fun to keep and watch. If you are looking for your first scorpion, this the Emperor Scorpion would be high on my list for you to check out.
