The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is a species of scorpion native to Africa. It is one of the largest species of scorpion on the planet: the average adult specimen measures about 20 cm in length. Known for being docile and quiet, the emperor scorpion is very interesting, and can make an ideal pet for someone new to arachnids.
Steps
Step 1. Get him a suitable accommodation
Keep your scorpion in a well-ventilated glass or plastic container with a secure lid. The size should be about 30x20x10 cm or in any case large enough to hold from 20 to 80 liters. Another recommended size is 30x30x30cm. The following components are essential.
- Install a heating mat. A black or red heating lamp is also fine but not UV. Never use UV rays on this scorpion, as they could cause stress and even death.
- Place a thermostat in the back of the container to keep the temperature at 25 ° C. Place a thermal sensor on the heat source. Install a thermometer to make it easier to check the temperature.
- Cover the floor with substrate that is at least 7 cm deep, such as cocoa fiber, peat, vermiculite or cork bark. The substrate must be kept moist. Moss is fine too, but you don't have to smother the bottom with it, as the scorpion needs to be able to dig holes to hide.
- Insert many objects that act as obstacles, such as bark and stones, on which the scorpion can climb, take refuge, or in which crevices it can hide. For shelter you can put cork, a piece of trunk, a vase of flowers, a dark and clean box (opaque glass is better than plastic because it does not emit any gas), or ceramic objects safe for arachnids, without glazes..
- The ambient humidity should be high, around 60-70%, or even higher than 75%. You can check the level with a hygrometer.
Step 2. Handle the scorpion with great care
You shouldn't grab it with your hands, as it can sting and bite.
- Whenever you need to move it, put it in a ventilated, clean container such as a plastic food box that can be closed easily once you put the scorpion in it.
- Make sure there are holes in the lid and on the sides to allow for air ventilation.
- Alternatively, use forceps or tweezers to gently pick it up, just below the sting.
Step 3. If you have several emperor scorpions, keep them together, but make sure you take care of all of them
They are social animals, they prefer to live in groups (even more than a dozen can live in a single den), rather than being alone. If you just leave your scorpio with no "friends" it's basically like keeping a man in solitary confinement.
Scorpions can eat each other, but if you keep an adequate amount of food in their container, you should prevent this from happening. Know that it is also not uncommon for some scorpions to fight for the same insect, if they are found together
Step 4. Feed your scorpion a healthy diet
Feed him live crickets, locusts, and mealworms. Scorpion cubs can be given very small crickets and other small-sized insects.
- The insects themselves must first be fed a rich blend of nutrients, which you can find in pet stores (this is a typical technique for "feeding prey").
- Use the tongs to feed your scorpion one insect at a time. He can eat 2 or 3 at a time, or refuse them completely. Keep in mind that scorpions don't eat every day and sometimes fast for a week or more, so don't insist if you see that they aren't eating. (In fact, adult scorpions moult once or twice a year and do not eat either before or after this stage.)
- Scorpions drink a lot of water, so make sure it's available every day. Use silica gel, or dip a cotton swab in bottle water and put it in a saucer so that your scorpion can drink.
- Keeping live worms or crickets in the container is not a threat to the safety of your scorpions. These arachnids have a strong exoskeleton that will protect them from the vast majority of predators.
Step 5. Make sure they can maintain adequate exercise at all times
They can do the movement they need in their enclosure. If they seem to be not moving enough, or moving around too much, contact your local vet or the pet store where you bought them.
Step 6. Clean the container regularly
Scorpions don't make much of a mess, but any food residues need to be removed. Change the substrate, clean and disinfect the container every 3 to 4 months with a mild disinfectant that is not harmful to scorpions.
Step 7. Keep your scorpion healthy
It shouldn't have many health problems if kept in the right conditions.
- If the scorpion is too hot, he becomes very active, he can sting himself and roll onto his back.
- If he is too cold, he does not eat.
- Do not keep live insects in the container if you have not eaten them, as the scorpion could be bitten by its prey.
Advice
- Emperor scorpions are the ones often seen in movies; Although their size makes them look scary, they are generally docile and can be used close to the actors to get a good effect!
- They love to climb, so try adding a few small branches to stimulate their interest.
- If you want to breed them, it is advisable to keep males and females separate, making them meet only for mating in a moist container that has a flat surface.
- The second pair of appendages, or scorpion-like extensions, are known as "pedipalps". All arachnids have them, and scorpions use them as weapons.
- The emperor scorpion hails from West Africa: Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Warnings
- Keep them away from drafts.
- They can live for about 12-16 years - be sure you are ready for this commitment.
- Avoid touching your scorpion as it can sting or bite. The bite is certainly painful because it has extremely large and strong claws. Its sting may be compared to that of a bee or a hornet (and like theirs, its venom is very light), but it can hurt and cause allergic reactions (sometimes fatal), so don't risk it!
- Scorpions don't like lights, so keep the container out of direct sunlight and radiators. This species is particularly vulnerable to UV rays and too much exposure stresses the scorpion, leading to its death.
- While this scorpion tends not to be aggressive, it is very fast!
