Breeding animal
Species
Emperor Scorpion
A large, heavily built forest scorpion from West Africa, known for its powerful claws and comparatively mild venom.
Our collection
Breeding animals of this species
Breeding animal
Luna
Species profile
Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator
Origin & natural range
Native to humid tropical parts of West Africa. Confirmed range states include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. The species lives mainly in warm, humid forest and forest-edge habitats, where it shelters in burrows, under roots and beneath fallen wood.
General husbandry
Emperor scorpions need a humid, well-ventilated terrestrial enclosure with a deep, stable substrate that holds burrows. Several dark hides, leaf litter, cork or roots and constant access to clean water should be provided. The substrate should stay slightly moist in the deeper layers without becoming waterlogged.
Key parameters
General guide: around 24–27 °C through most of the enclosure during the day, with a gently warmer area of roughly 27–29 °C. A moderate drop at night is suitable. Relative humidity is commonly kept around 70–85 %, combined with good ventilation and a moisture gradient in the substrate.
Space & enclosure
Floor area and substrate depth matter more than height. For an adult animal, use a secure terrestrial enclosure with enough room for several hides and at least roughly 15–20 cm of burrow-friendly substrate; larger enclosures and deeper substrate offer more behavioural choice. Group housing can work in suitable setups but always carries a risk of stress or cannibalism and requires close observation.
Diet
In the wild: Mainly insects and other invertebrates; larger animals may occasionally take small vertebrate prey.
In human care: A varied selection of appropriately sized feeder insects such as crickets, roaches and locusts. Match quantity and interval to age, size and body condition, and remove uneaten prey promptly.
Conservation & CITES
Conservation status: CITES Appendix II (Pandinus imperator). International trade and cross-border transfers are subject to the relevant CITES documentation and proof-of-origin requirements.
Special notes & safety
VENOMOUS. The species is generally regarded as having relatively mild venom compared with medically important scorpions, but a sting can still be painful and individual or allergic reactions are possible. Handling should be avoided; use secure tools and a calm working routine when servicing the enclosure.
The husbandry information and space recommendations on this page are general guidance. Legal minimum requirements vary between countries and regions and must always be checked locally. Before buying any animal, please take the time to learn about the species in depth – you are welcome to ask us, and we also recommend good specialist literature. Husbandry should always be adapted to the species, locality, age, size and individual animal.
Skeleton of Emperor Scorpion
Natural range
