Emperor Scorpion

Emperor Scorpion（圖片來源：Mike Baird，採用 CC BY 2.0 授權）

The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is one of the largest scorpions living today. It is native to the tropical rainforests and savanna regions of West Africa, with a distribution that includes Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, and Cameroon. These scorpions typically inhabit humid forest floors, where they shelter beneath leaf litter, fallen branches, stones, or in burrows they excavate themselves. They are also known to occupy termite mounds as refuges. The species is highly adaptable and can live both in moist forest habitats and in more open, relatively dry grasslands.

Adults can reach lengths of about 20 cm. Their bodies are usually black or dark greenish-black and produce a faint blue or green fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. The pedipalps are large and powerful, with a distinctly granular surface texture, and are commonly used to crush or restrain prey. The tail is composed of several segments and terminates in a venomous stinger connected to venom glands. However, the venom of the emperor scorpion is relatively mild to humans and typically causes only temporary pain or mild swelling. Despite their formidable appearance, these scorpions are generally docile and tend to rely on their pincers for defense or prey capture. Adults rarely use the stinger unless strongly provoked.

Emperor scorpions are nocturnal animals. During the day they remain hidden in burrows or shelters, emerging at night to forage and hunt. Sensory hairs distributed on the pedipalps and tail allow them to detect ground vibrations and subtle air movements, enabling them to locate prey. In the wild, their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other arthropods, though they occasionally capture small reptiles or rodents. Juveniles often rely more heavily on their stinger to immobilize prey, while adults typically overpower prey with their strong pincers and tear it apart.

This species has a relatively long lifespan. In the wild it can live approximately 6 to 8 years, and under stable captive conditions it may survive even longer. The emperor scorpion is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). International trade is therefore regulated in order to prevent wild populations from declining due to excessive collection for the pet trade.

Emperor Scorpion（圖片來源：Karsten Hölscher，採用 CC BY-SA 3.0 授權）

Emperor scorpion under ultraviolet light（圖片來源：Rosa Pineda，採用 CC BY-SA 3.0 授權）

Housing Requirements in Captivity

In captivity, the environmental conditions should mimic the climate of the emperor scorpion's native habitat as closely as possible. These scorpions are terrestrial and accustomed to digging burrows in soft soil, so the enclosure must contain a sufficiently deep substrate layer to allow excavation. A secure glass or plastic enclosure designed to prevent escape is recommended. The enclosure should measure at least 45 × 45 × 30 cm. Larger enclosures are preferable if multiple individuals are kept or if a naturalistic terrarium is desired.

Suitable substrates include coconut fiber, peat soil, or mixtures containing forest moss. The substrate should be at least 10 to 15 cm deep to retain moisture and allow burrowing. Creating both moist and slightly drier areas within the enclosure can establish a humidity gradient that allows the scorpion to select its preferred microenvironment. Ideal humidity ranges between 75% and 85%, which can be maintained through periodic misting.

Temperature should generally remain between 24 and 29°C during the day and may drop to around 20°C at night. If room temperatures are too low, a side-mounted heating pad may be used to raise the temperature. Heating elements should not be placed underneath the enclosure, as excessive bottom heat may cause overheating.

Although emperor scorpions do not require ultraviolet lighting, they benefit from a stable day-night cycle. Gentle ambient lighting during the day and dim blue or moonlight-style LED lighting at night can help maintain this rhythm. Because they are sensitive to strong light, the enclosure should not be placed in direct sunlight.

The enclosure should include several hiding places such as pieces of bark, stones, ceramic shelters, or artificial caves. Adding leaf litter and small branches can help recreate a natural forest-floor environment. For those wishing to create a semi-bioactive terrarium, moisture-loving plants such as ferns, mosses, or small bromeliads can be introduced. These plants help stabilize humidity while improving the visual appearance of the habitat. Cleanliness is essential. Waste and uneaten food should be removed regularly, and the water dish should always contain clean, chlorine-free water.

Under certain conditions emperor scorpions may be kept communally, though this is recommended only for experienced keepers. If multiple individuals are housed together, the enclosure must provide ample space and multiple hiding spots, and all individuals should be well fed to reduce the risk of aggression or cannibalism. In most situations, keeping them individually remains the safest option.

Feeding Conditions

The emperor scorpion is a carnivorous predator. In captivity it can be fed a variety of insects as staple prey items, including crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms. To ensure balanced nutrition, feeder insects should be gut-loaded with vegetables, fruits, or specialized feeder diets before being offered. In addition, feeder insects may be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements once per week prior to feeding.

Juvenile scorpions can be fed once or twice per week with smaller prey items. Subadults and adults typically require feeding every 7 to 14 days with medium-to-large crickets or roaches. Feeding frequency can be adjusted by observing the abdomen. If the abdomen becomes noticeably shrunken, feeding frequency can be increased; if it becomes excessively swollen, feeding should be reduced to avoid obesity.

Because emperor scorpions are primarily nocturnal hunters, feeding is best done during the evening. Uneaten prey should be removed the following day to prevent decomposition or disturbance to the scorpion.

Since emperor scorpions usually crush prey using their pincers rather than swallowing prey whole, prey items generally do not need to be cut or prepared beforehand. However, when feeding very small juveniles, it may be advisable to crush the head of feeder insects to prevent them from injuring the young scorpions. A shallow dish of chlorine-free water should always be available. Placing a sponge or small stones in the water dish helps prevent scorpions or feeder insects from drowning. Light daily misting can also help maintain environmental humidity.

Breeding Conditions

Breeding emperor scorpions can be challenging. Mature males are usually slightly smaller and more slender than females, while females tend to have broader abdomens. Before attempting to pair them, both individuals should be healthy and well nourished.

During courtship, the male gently touches the female with his pedipalps and performs a behavior often described as a courtship dance. If the female is receptive, the male deposits a spermatophore on the ground and then guides the female so that her genital opening passes over it, completing fertilization. If the female is not receptive, she may attack the male. For this reason the process should always be closely supervised, and the pair should be separated immediately after mating.

Females are capable of delaying fertilization until environmental conditions become favorable for embryonic development. Emperor scorpions are viviparous. Gestation typically lasts about 6 to 8 months depending on temperature. During pregnancy, the membranes between body segments may expand and reveal pale whitish tissue beneath.

When giving birth, the female seeks a quiet and sheltered location. The newborn scorpions are soft, fragile, and pale white in color. They climb onto the mother's back and remain there until their first molt. This period of maternal care lasts approximately one to two weeks. During this time the mother aggressively protects her young and may refuse food or attack potential threats.

After the first molt the juveniles darken in color and become capable of independent life. At this stage they should be separated to prevent cannibalism either from the mother or among siblings. Juveniles can be fed small crickets once or twice per week, and high humidity should be maintained to support successful molting. After successful reproduction, the female should receive protein-rich foods to help restore her energy reserves.

Preventing Invasive Spread

The emperor scorpion originates from West Africa. If released, abandoned, or allowed to escape in non-native regions, it could potentially affect local ecosystems, for example by altering native insect communities.

For this reason, keepers must follow the principle of never releasing or abandoning captive animals into the wild. If a keeper can no longer care for the scorpion, it should be transferred to a responsible new keeper or an appropriate animal care organization rather than being released outdoors.

Because of its impressive appearance and relatively gentle temperament, the emperor scorpion has become a very popular pet species. However, this popularity has historically led to excessive collection from the wild. As a result, the species is now listed in CITES Appendix II, and international trade is regulated. Responsible keepers should purchase captive-bred individuals and avoid animals collected from the wild in West Africa, thereby reducing pressure on natural populations.

Author: Shui-Ye You