Emperor Scorpion

The Emperor Scorpion is native to tropical West Africa and is usually collected from Togo and Ghana (Fouskaris 2001). This species also occurs in the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Sierra Leone (Overton 2003). Pandinus imperator is slow growing but can reach 15 cm in length, and despite the impressive appearance, it is a relatively docile species with a mild venom. Because of this, P. imperator is an ideal starter species. It prefers warm temperatures and a high humidity, and will burrow. This species can be kept communally as long as all of the scorpions in the tank are similar in size.

Housing:	10+ L cage for large adults
Communal:	Yes (provide a larger tank for communal set-ups)
Diet:	Crickets, cockroaches
Substrate:	At least 10 cm of soil or peat moss
Decor:	Cork bark, water dish
Temperature:	26.7 to 32.2° C (80° to 90° F)
Humidity:	High, keep substrate moist
Temperament:	Docile but may be skittish
Considerations:	Good for beginners

I got Spike in December 2000 the same day as I got Litee. He is 6 inches long when stretched from tail to claws. Spike is a pretty tame scorpion, as far as scorpions go. He lets me handle him and pet him, and he will readily eat crickets right out of my hand. When I take him out he usually moves quickly and goes around looking for a place to hide. Although he tolerates being handled, he is happiest to stay under the cork bark in his cage, where he hides all day long. Recently I added a shoe, just for fun, which he also enjoys. Once in a while he comes out at night as he is nocturnal, but he is usually content to do nothing. One cool thing about him is that he glows bright green under a black light. I tried to get a picture of it but it didn't turn out too well . . . he is a lot brighter than the picture portrays. All of my scorpions glow as Spike does.


Feb. 26, 2001


Blacklight	Mar. 25, 2001


Mar. 25, 2001		Just chillin'.... (Apr. 2001)

Pandina is my little baby. I got in the summer of 2001 and she was only an inch or so long. For 10 bucks, I couldn't resist such a sweet little thing! I don't take her out (except for the pictures). She has molted several times and is getting bigger!

I got Ceika and Tarrie on January 25th, 2002 to replace Spike. They are living together and get along fine with each other. They often hide together under the corkbark or in a burrow. Ceika is as tame as Spike, and Tarrie is more skittish but still docile as far as scorpions go. Ceika is a male a little larger than Spike. Scorpions can be sexed by looking at the pectines. These are sensory organs on the underside of the body that look like features or combs. On males, they are usually longer and have more teeth. Compare the pictures below, which show clearly this difference between the male and female scorpions. Also, when I selected these two from the pet store, there were two big males and all of the females were smaller and fatter.


Ceika Feb. 21, 2002	Tarrie Feb. 21, 2002	Ceika (L) and Tarrie Note the difference in pectines.


Tarrie (L) and Ceika Mar. 6, 2002	Ceika under blacklight Mar. 6, 2002	Ceika Mar. 6, 2002	In the cage May 2002	And glowing May 2002


Ceika May 2002	Tarrie May 2002	Sept. 2002 Photo: C. Hawbaker	Feb. 2, 2003: Tarrie after a molt	Feb. 2, 2003: Tarrie and Ceika after Tarrie's molt


Dec. 2, 2003: Ceika eating a roach		Dec. 2, 2003: Tarrie eating a roach		Taking a drink

In June of 2004 I came home from shopping one day to find a paper bag of animals that someone had anonymously left by the door to the room! (Later I found out who left it.) In one container was a large male emperor that I named Obsidian (“Sida”). As soon as I introduced him into Tarrie's cage, he began trying to court her! I'm still not sure if he ever succeeded in convincing her, but he resided with Tarrie until she killed him in October. I believe she's expecting babies (that could have led her to kill Sida).

Between December 27-29, 2004, Tarrie gave birth to her first brood. I think it actually took several days for the process to occur. The first three pictures did not turn out so well because I took them through the glass so I wouldn't disturb the mother. I believe the scorplings are Sida's offspring. After the second photo shoot on January 12, one of the babies got separated from the group. It was so endearing to see the little one run after its mother and climb back onto her.


Dec. 29, 2004: Still giving birth	Tarrie with newborn scorplings		Jan. 12, 2005: Tarrie with newly molted 2^nd instar scorplings


June 13, 2004: Very cool blacklight shots of Sida and Tarrie!



Apr. 4, 2004