Pandinus imperator
Emperor Scorpion
Emperor scorpions are calm, long-lived invertebrates that make an engaging low-maintenance display animal for keepers comfortable with an animal that should be watched, not held.
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At a glance
- Scientific name
- Pandinus imperator
- Family
- Scorpionidae
- Origin
- Rainforest floor of West African countries including Ghana, Togo and Nigeria
- Lifespan
- 6–8 years
- Adult size
- 12–20 cm
- Weight
- 30 g
- Temperament
- Generally docile for a scorpion but should never be handled bare-handed
- Activity level
- Low to moderate; mostly nocturnal
- Social needs
- Can sometimes be kept communally with ample space and food, though risk of cannibalism remains
- Intelligence
- Basic instinct-driven foraging and burrowing behaviour
- Noise
- Silent
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Ventilated tank at least 45 x 30 x 30 cm with 10–15 cm of moisture-retentive burrowing substrate
- Space requirement
- Floor area with hides and deep substrate for burrowing
- Temperature
- 24–29°C
- Humidity
- 70–80%
- Exercise
- Provided by burrowing substrate and floor space
- Grooming
- Not applicable
Life stages and changing needs
Expanded care guidance · Updated 7 October 2026 · Not professionally reviewed
Juvenile
Young emperor scorpions need a warm, humid enclosure with deep, moist substrate they can burrow into and a shallow water dish; they are vulnerable to dehydration and to failed moults, which are the most dangerous event in a young scorpion's life. Never disturb or handle a scorpion that is moulting — the new exoskeleton is soft and any interference can be fatal — and keep humidity high and stable during this period.
Adult
Adult emperor scorpions are large, impressive and relatively docile for scorpions, but they are still a look-don't-touch pet: their sting is mild for most people but their pincers deliver a strong pinch, and any sting carries an allergy risk. They need temperatures around 24 to 28 degrees, humidity of 70 to 80 percent, deep substrate, hiding cork bark, and a secure lid, since they are stronger than they look. They can be kept singly or, with care and space, in small groups, though cannibalism is always a risk.
Senior
Emperor scorpions can live six to eight years or more. Older animals eat less frequently, burrow less and may go long periods barely moving, which is normal rather than concerning in a species that naturally fasts. Maintain warmth and humidity, keep prey small and infrequent, and watch for a swollen, distorted abdomen or a scorpion dragging its body, which can indicate impaction or decline. A mature female may still produce young if she was ever housed with a male, since scorpions can store sperm.
Diet and feeding
Gut-loaded crickets, roaches and occasional waxworms
Feed appropriately sized live insects — crickets, roaches, occasional mealworms — roughly once or twice a week for adults, removing any uneaten prey within a day, because loose crickets can injure or stress a moulting scorpion. Juveniles eat more frequently; adults in good condition can healthily refuse food for weeks, which alarms new keepers unnecessarily.
Do not overfeed: a very distended abdomen is obesity, not health, and shortens the animal's life. Fresh water in a shallow dish must always be available, and the substrate should stay moist enough to support the burrow system and successful moults, since low humidity is the usual cause of fatal stuck moults.
Daily care and ongoing checks
Every day
Check temperature and humidity daily, top up the water dish, and confirm the enclosure is fully secure; a lost scorpion in a house is a serious problem for everyone including the scorpion. Note where the animal is — in its burrow, out hunting, or pressed against the glass — since changes in routine are the main early signal of trouble.
Regular maintenance and prevention
Avoid vibrations, bright light and tapping on the enclosure, all of which stress a nocturnal burrowing animal, and never reach in without looking first. Spot-clean prey remains and keep the substrate's moisture gradient intact rather than letting it dry out between mistings.
Behaviour and compatibility
Nocturnal foraging and burrowing, defensive claw raising and rarely stinging, maternal care of young
- With children
- Not a handling pet for children; the sting, while not typically dangerous to healthy adults, is genuinely painful and allergic reactions are possible
- With other animals
- Keep isolated from other pets that might prey on or provoke it
- Training difficulty
- Not applicable
Health
- Mite infestation
- Dehydration in low humidity
- Injury from falls, as scorpions are surprisingly fragile despite their armour
Specialist invertebrate veterinary care is very limited; prevention through stable husbandry is the main safeguard
Special care requirements
Always use feeding tongs and avoid direct handling; the sting is medically similar to a wasp sting but reactions vary between individuals
Burrow security and humidity-level stability
Emperor scorpions are terrestrial, burrow-dwelling creatures that need safe, stable substrates and high humidity to thrive and complete successful moults. Their enclosure must be kept quiet and away from strong vibrations, as they are sensitive to environmental disruption and stress.
Before you take one on
Sources and further guidance
These welfare and veterinary resources inform general husbandry advice; they do not certify this profile or replace a species-experienced professional. Confirm exact environmental settings and feeding plans for your animal.
Can your home meet emperor scorpion needs?
- Plan for a lifespan of 6–8 years, including holiday cover and, where one is available, a vet familiar with this species. Lifespan ranges are not guarantees.
- Arrange the social setting before arrival. Social guidance for this species: Can sometimes be kept communally with ample space and food, though risk of cannibalism remains. Do not assume another animal of any species is a suitable companion.
- Habitat priority for this species: Floor area with hides and deep substrate for burrowing. Make sure your setup can provide this consistently. Measure temperatures and humidity with thermometers and a hygrometer rather than guessing.
- Key care point: Always use feeding tongs and avoid direct handling; the sting is medically similar to a wasp sting but reactions vary between individuals. Discuss diet and any specialist needs with the supplier, rescue and a vet who treats this species, and check local legal requirements before acquiring an animal.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.