Emperor Scorpions or Imperial Scorpion

Background

Africa is the original homeland of the emperor scorpion that is also known as the imperial scorpion. They are black with hues of green and brown. The most telling are their large claws. It is the largest scorpion in the world with an average length of 8”. They live for 5 to 8 years – longer in captivity than in the wild. Its low toxicity and life span has made it so much in demand that it has been listed as endangered.

Temperament

Emperor scorpions love to dig and burrow with their fore legs. The burrow may either be a small depression below a rock or a six feet twisting tunnel below the earth. The emperor scorpion is food for some types of wasps, large flies, birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as monkeys, mongoose, rodents and strange but true – also man. Scorpions are eaten by some tribes and often used to make medicines.

The emperor scorpion is a shy introvert. Given a choice it will not come out of its hole except for food. When threatened it will run and only when it is cornered will it puff itself up in a show of bluff. Holding open its claws it turns around to face the enemy, arches its tail the stinger across the back. If further provoked it might actually sting and scratch with its claws. The sting is very powerful and can break a pencil in two halves. People react differently to the sting which feels like that of the nip from the bee.

Breeding

Scorpions may be kept in groups but when the female gets pregnant you need to separate her because otherwise she will slaughter the male. The babies of the emperor scorpion are born alive after a gestation period of 9/18 months. The latter depends on temperature and food. On an average about 12 ‘scorplings’ appear. These little ones are extremely vulnerable and helpless. The mother is fiercely protective and carries them on her back. As they molt and grow they will slip on and off their parent’s back trying out their hand at independence.

Care

The emperor scorpion is great as a pet – quiet, clean and can be easily taken care of. It needs heat and humidity. A large glass tank with hiding spots (broken ceramic pieces, stones or pieces of animal skin) will serve the purpose. Peat or soil may be used for the flooring. It must be fairly deep and commercial moss may be sprinkled on it. Since emperor scorpions are nocturnal they will not need much light. Feed an adult with 3 to 6 crickets per week every alternate night. The crickets in their turn must be kept well fed and dusted with a reptile-vitamin for the ‘go’ effect. Mealworms and or mice can be added for menu change. Keep a shallow dish of water handy.

The only negative thing about keeping the emperor scorpion as a pet is that it will be difficult to find a scorpion-pet-sitter if you want to take a day off!

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