Difference between revisions of "Care for Emperor Scorpions"
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| − | + | The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is a species of scorpion native to Africa. One of the largest species of scorpion in the world, the adult emperor scorpions average about 8 inches (20 cm) in length.<ref name="rf1">Wikipedia, Emperor Scorpion, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_scorpion</ref> Known for being docile and calm,<ref name="rf2">Jon Fouskaris, Emperor Scorpion, http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/P-imperator.html</ref> and tolerant of caregiver's mistakes,<ref name="rf3">The Tarantula's Burrow, Common Emperor Scorpion, http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/pandinus_imperator.htm</ref> emperor scorpions are very interesting animals, and can make for a great pet for a beginner branching out into arachnid pets. | |
| − | [[Category:Spiders and Other Arachnids]] | + | [[Category: Spiders and Other Arachnids]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| − | #Provide suitable housing. Keep your scorpion in a well-ventilated glass or plastic tank with a secure lid. The tank size should measure about 30cm x 20cm x 10cm (11.8" x 8.8" x 3.9cm or a 5 to 20 gallon tank<ref | + | #Provide suitable housing. Keep your scorpion in a well-ventilated glass or plastic tank with a secure lid. The tank size should measure about 30cm x 20cm x 10cm (11.8" x 8.8" x 3.9cm or a 5 to 20 gallon tank<ref name="rf2" />).<ref name="rf4">Another recommended size is 12" x 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm x30xm), The Tarantula's Burrow, Common Emperor Scorpion, http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/pandinus_imperator.htm</ref> The following is essential: |
#* Install a heat mat. Or a red or non-UV black heat lamp. Never use UV on an Emperor Scorpion as it causes stress and death. | #* Install a heat mat. Or a red or non-UV black heat lamp. Never use UV on an Emperor Scorpion as it causes stress and death. | ||
#* Emperor scorpions need a day time temperature of around 29ºC/85ºF and a night time low of 23ºC/75ºF. Use a thermometer or a thermostat to measure the temperatures in the tank. You can also keep a warm and cool end if you do not want day/night time temperatures. | #* Emperor scorpions need a day time temperature of around 29ºC/85ºF and a night time low of 23ºC/75ºF. Use a thermometer or a thermostat to measure the temperatures in the tank. You can also keep a warm and cool end if you do not want day/night time temperatures. | ||
| − | #* Cover the floor with a thick layer (at least 4" deep) of substrate such as cocoa fiber, [[Use Coco Peat Grow Bags for Gardening|peat]], peat/vermiculite, or cork bark.<ref | + | #* Cover the floor with a thick layer (at least 4" deep) of substrate such as cocoa fiber, [[Use Coco Peat Grow Bags for Gardening|peat]], peat/vermiculite, or cork bark.<ref name="rf3" /> The substrate should be kept moist. Moss is also helpful but don't smother the base with it as being a [[Create Urban Rainforests|rainforest]] burrower, this scorpion needs to be able to dig holes for hiding. The more the substrate, the happier your scorpion will be to burrow in. |
#* Provide plenty of obstacles such as bark and rocks for your scorpion to climb, burrow and hide in. Suitable shelters include cork bark, half a log, a flower pot, a clean dark container (prefer opaque glass over plastic as it won't off-gas), or ceramic items with arachnid safe or no glazes. | #* Provide plenty of obstacles such as bark and rocks for your scorpion to climb, burrow and hide in. Suitable shelters include cork bark, half a log, a flower pot, a clean dark container (prefer opaque glass over plastic as it won't off-gas), or ceramic items with arachnid safe or no glazes. | ||
| − | #*[[Calculate Humidity|Humidity]] should be high, 60-70%, or even above 75%<ref | + | #*[[Calculate Humidity|Humidity]] should be high, 60-70%, or even above 75%<ref name="rf3" />. The humidity level can be checked with a hygrometer. |
#Handle your scorpion with great care, if at all. It's recommended that you don't handle your scorpion, as he can sting and bite. | #Handle your scorpion with great care, if at all. It's recommended that you don't handle your scorpion, as he can sting and bite. | ||
#*Whenever you need to move him, coax him into a ventilated container such as a clean plastic food container that can be closed easily once the scorpion enters it. | #*Whenever you need to move him, coax him into a ventilated container such as a clean plastic food container that can be closed easily once the scorpion enters it. | ||
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#* Alternatively, use your fingers to gently pick him up, just below the sting. Do NOT do this with tweezers or tongs as you may hurt your scorpion trying. | #* Alternatively, use your fingers to gently pick him up, just below the sting. Do NOT do this with tweezers or tongs as you may hurt your scorpion trying. | ||
#You can keep Emperor scorpions together, but make sure they're all provided for. Emperor scorpions are NOT social animals - they prefer to live alone rather than living in groups. Make sure there are plenty of hiding places as they may become territorial. Emperor scorpions can be housed together, but they enjoy their personal space much like we humans do. They merely tolerate each other. | #You can keep Emperor scorpions together, but make sure they're all provided for. Emperor scorpions are NOT social animals - they prefer to live alone rather than living in groups. Make sure there are plenty of hiding places as they may become territorial. Emperor scorpions can be housed together, but they enjoy their personal space much like we humans do. They merely tolerate each other. | ||
| − | #* Scorpions may eat one another,<ref>Scorpion Picture Guide, Emperor Scorpions, http://www.scorpionpictureguide.com/scorpions/emperor-scorpion-care/</ref> but keeping an adequate amount of food in their tank should prevent that from happening. Know that it's also not uncommon for several scorpions to fight over the same insect if they're kept together.<ref | + | #* Scorpions may eat one another,<ref name="rf5">Scorpion Picture Guide, Emperor Scorpions, http://www.scorpionpictureguide.com/scorpions/emperor-scorpion-care/</ref> but keeping an adequate amount of food in their tank should prevent that from happening. Know that it's also not uncommon for several scorpions to fight over the same insect if they're kept together.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Feed your scorpion a healthy diet. Feed your scorpion live [[Raise Your Own Crickets|crickets]], locusts, and [[Breed Mealworms|mealworms]]. For baby scorpions, feed them pinhead crickets and other small insects.<ref | + | #Feed your scorpion a healthy diet. Feed your scorpion live [[Raise Your Own Crickets|crickets]], locusts, and [[Breed Mealworms|mealworms]]. For baby scorpions, feed them pinhead crickets and other small insects.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #* The insects themselves should be fed beforehand with a nutrient rich mixture available from pet shops (this is known as "gut-loading").<ref | + | #* The insects themselves should be fed beforehand with a nutrient rich mixture available from pet shops (this is known as "gut-loading").<ref name="rf5" /> |
#* Use tongs to feed your scorpion one insect at a time. He may eat 2 or 3 at a time, or refuse them altogether. Note that scorpions don't eat every day and sometimes fast for a week or more, so try again another time if this happens. (In fact, adult scorpions molt once or twice a year and don't eat before and after molting.) | #* Use tongs to feed your scorpion one insect at a time. He may eat 2 or 3 at a time, or refuse them altogether. Note that scorpions don't eat every day and sometimes fast for a week or more, so try again another time if this happens. (In fact, adult scorpions molt once or twice a year and don't eat before and after molting.) | ||
#* Scorpions drink a lot of water, so make sure it is available every day. Do NOT use silica gel, or soak cotton wool in bottled water and place it in a small dish for your scorpion to drink from. This can be very harmful for your scorpion, and may even result in its death. Ensure your water dish is shallow and your scorpion can easily get in and out of it. If it's too deep, you may put small rocks inside. | #* Scorpions drink a lot of water, so make sure it is available every day. Do NOT use silica gel, or soak cotton wool in bottled water and place it in a small dish for your scorpion to drink from. This can be very harmful for your scorpion, and may even result in its death. Ensure your water dish is shallow and your scorpion can easily get in and out of it. If it's too deep, you may put small rocks inside. | ||
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#*Don't keep [[Make Your Own Bug Collection|live insects]] in the tank if they're not being eaten, as your scorpion may be bitten by his prey. | #*Don't keep [[Make Your Own Bug Collection|live insects]] in the tank if they're not being eaten, as your scorpion may be bitten by his prey. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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*Emperor scorpions are the scorpions often seen in films; although their size makes them appear scary, they're generally docile and can be used around actors to good effect! | *Emperor scorpions are the scorpions often seen in films; although their size makes them appear scary, they're generally docile and can be used around actors to good effect! | ||
* They bite really hard, but aren't venomous. You should still try to go to the doctor. | * They bite really hard, but aren't venomous. You should still try to go to the doctor. | ||
| − | *The second pair of appendages, or claw-like extensions of the scorpion are known as "pedipalps". All arachnids have pedipalps; in scorpions, they are used as weapons.<ref>Wikipedia, Pedipalp, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedipalp</ref> | + | *The second pair of appendages, or claw-like extensions of the scorpion are known as "pedipalps". All arachnids have pedipalps; in scorpions, they are used as weapons.<ref name="rf6">Wikipedia, Pedipalp, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedipalp</ref> |
| − | *The emperor scorpion originates from West Africa, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.<ref | + | *The emperor scorpion originates from West Africa, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
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*Emperor scorpions can live for about 9-12 years; be sure you're ready for this commitment. | *Emperor scorpions can live for about 9-12 years; be sure you're ready for this commitment. | ||
*Avoid handling your scorpion as it may sting or pinch. The pinch will sure hurt because Emperor scorpions have one of the biggest and strongest claws. Emperor's scorpions stings can be similar to a bee's or a hornet's sting (as its poison is very mild) but it may hurt. The chances of being allergic to the venom is very rare. If symptoms worsen after a sting, consult your doctor. | *Avoid handling your scorpion as it may sting or pinch. The pinch will sure hurt because Emperor scorpions have one of the biggest and strongest claws. Emperor's scorpions stings can be similar to a bee's or a hornet's sting (as its poison is very mild) but it may hurt. The chances of being allergic to the venom is very rare. If symptoms worsen after a sting, consult your doctor. | ||
| − | *Scorpions don't like bright lights, so keep the tank out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. This species is especially vulnerable to UV light and too much exposure will stress the scorpion, leading to its death.<ref | + | *Scorpions don't like bright lights, so keep the tank out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. This species is especially vulnerable to UV light and too much exposure will stress the scorpion, leading to its death.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | *While this scorpion does not tend to be aggressive, it can move quickly!<ref | + | *While this scorpion does not tend to be aggressive, it can move quickly!<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Things You'll Need == | == Things You'll Need == | ||
