Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

Considerations before Commitment

1. Housing Requirements

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

Emperor Scorpions require a highly specific, warm, and humid environment to thrive.

1. Tank Size for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• A 10-gallon glass tank works for a single Emperor Scorpion
• If housing a communal group – up to 2-3 Emperor Scorpion -upgrade to a 20 to 30-gallon tank
• Larger tank is to provide adequate personal space and prevent territorial disputes

  

2. Lid for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Emperor Scorpions are excellent climbers
• Emperor Scorpions are excellent escape artists
• Use a snug-fitting metal mesh lid locked with clips

 

3. Substrate for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

Because Emperor Scorpions love to dig:

• Provide 6 to 8 inches of a moisture-retaining substrate – like a 50/50 mix of peat moss and coconut fiber – e.g., Eco Earth

 

2. Climate and Lighting

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

  

1. Temperature for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Maintain a gradient between 75-85° F – with a warm side and a cooler side
• Use an external under-tank heat mat attached to one side of the glass
• Controlled by a reptile thermostat to prevent overheating

 

2. Humidity for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:
3. Keep relative humidity between 75-80%
4. Mist the substrate regularly/daily with room-temperature water to keep the substrate appropriately damp
5. Add a layer of sphagnum moss to help lock in moisture
6. Monitor both temperature and humidity daily using a trusted digital thermometer/hygrometer

 

3. Lighting for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Emperor Scorpions have no UVB requirements
• Emperor Scorpions are strictly nocturnal
• Avoid bright lights
• Utilize a normal 12-hour day/night room light cycle

Emperor Scorpions need high humidity – between 70% and 80% – to thrive, as Emperor Scorpions originate from tropical rain forests.

 

3. Decor and Hides

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

 Hides for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet

• Provide at least one secure, dark hide – such as cork bark tunnels or flat rocks
• Provide one hide for every Emperor Scorpion in the secure tank enclosure

 

2. Water Dish for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Include a shallow, heavy-bottomed water dish
• So your scorpion can drink without drowning

 

3. Bio-active Setup for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• You can add clean-up crews like spring tails and isopods
• Alongside live, non-toxic plants
• To create a natural, self-cleaning ecosystem

 

Avoid water logging the soil – it should be damp, not swampy – do not spray the scorpion directly.

 

4. Feeding Responsibility

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

As nocturnal hunters, Emperor Scorpions are insectivores and will actively forage at night.

1. Diet for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Feed your Emperor Scorpion gut-loaded insects such as crickets
• Feed your Emperor Scorpion gut-loaded insects such as dubia roaches
• Feed your Emperor Scorpion gut-loaded insects such as mealworms.

 

2. Frequency for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Adult scorpions only need to be fed about 3 – 4 properly sized insects per week.

  

3. Supplements for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• You can dust prey with reptile calcium
• You can dust prey with reptile vitamin supplements
• Once or twice a week to maintain your Emperor Scorpion’s exoskeleton health.

 

4. Cleaning for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:

• Always remove uneaten prey after 24 hours
• Always remove uneaten prey to prevent mold in the humid environment
• Always remove uneaten prey to prevent bacterial growth in the humid environment

 

5. Fasting for your Emperor Scorpion as a Pet:
6. Do not feed your Emperor Scorpion if it is molting – when its shell is soft
7. Emperor Scorpions will also naturally stop eating for extended periods if they become engorged
8. Emperor Scorpions will also naturally stop eating for extended periods during cooler months

As nocturnal hunters, Emperor Scorpions are insectivores and will actively forage at night.

 

5. Costs to Expect

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

Initial Emperor Scorpion expenses may include:

• Terrarium and secure lid
• Heating equipment if needed
• Substrate and decorations
• Water dish
• humidity-monitoring equipment
• Regular purchases of feeder insects

The Emperor Scorpion itself is often one of the smaller costs – proper habitat setup for your Emperor Scorpion is usually the larger investment.

 

6. Challenges

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

 

1. Emperor Scorpion is Not a cuddly pet:

• Scorpions generally should not be handled except when necessary

 

2. Emperor Scorpions Can Sting or Pinch:

• While the sting of an Emperor Scorpion is typically compared to a bee sting for most people
• Emperor Scorpions reactions vary – some individuals may experience severe allergic responses

• Emperor Scorpion is a Nocturnal lifestyle:
• Emperor Scorpion are most active at night
• Hence children may not see much activity during the day

 

3. Emperor Scorpion are Escape Risk:

• Secure housing is essential
• Because escaped Emperor Scorpions can be difficult to locate

 

4. Emperor Scorpions Live Food requirements:

• Emperor Scorpions typically eat live insects such as crickets
• Emperor Scorpions typically eat live insects such as roaches
• Food which some families find unpleasant

 

7. Safety Around Children

Emperor Scorpions as a Pet

If you have young children:

1. Keep the enclosure in a location inaccessible to unsupervised children
2. Teach children that the Emperor Scorpion is a “look, don't touch” pet
3. Wash hands after handling feeder insects or maintenance items.
4. Have an adult perform enclosure cleaning and animal transfers

For most families, an emperor scorpion is best viewed as a miniature wildlife exhibit: fascinating to watch.

 

8. Is an Emperor Scorpion

Right for your Family

An emperor scorpion can be a good choice if your family:

1. Enjoys observing unusual animals
2. Is comfortable feeding live insects
3. Understands that the Emperor Scorpion pet should rarely be handled
4. Has older, responsible children interested in nature

 

An Emperor Scorpion may not be the best choice if your children are looking for a pet they can hold, cuddle, train, or interact with regularly.

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