There are almost 2,000 species of scorpions identified by humans, yet only forty of them possess poison potent enough to kill a man. The majority of them will sting you very painfully, but it won’t likely be fatal. There are just a few particular species of scorpions that are recognized to make ideal pets since not all scorpions are similar. These could be the best pet scorpions.
Here is our selection of the eight best pet scorpions species of scorpions to keep as pets, regardless of your level of experience. Before we get started, remember that all scorpions are poisonous. No matter how cautious you are or how calm the scorpion is, you still have the risk of getting stung. Handling your pet scorpion requires constant caution. Continue reading to know about the eight best pet scorpions.
List of Eight Best Pet Scorpions:
- Emperor Scorpion
- Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion
- Malaysian Black Scorpion
- Javanese Jungle Scorpion
- Desert Hairy Scorpion
- Large-Clawed Scorpion
- Dictator Scorpion
- Asian Forest Scorpion
Most scorpion needs a 10-gallon tank for a single scorpion, with tank temperature between 70 °F to 90 °F, and tank humidity between 70% to 80%. To maintain this temperature range you have to use a heat mat or lamp, and to keep this humidity level regular misting and making the substrate damp is necessary.
Emperor Scorpion:
| Scientific Name | Pandinus imperator |
| Common Names | Emperor Scorpion |
| Adult Size | 7 inches (18 cm) |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | 6 to 8 years |
| Cost | $25 – $100 |
The emperor scorpion is one of the best pet scorpions in the entire globe and is a native to West African savannas and rainforests. Emperor scorpions are often glossy black, although they could also be dark brown to green. They occasionally glow blue because they reflect UV light. They have red-colored claws and stingers. With each subsequent molt, its color becomes deeper.
Emperor scorpions make excellent burrowers. They are, however, poor climbers. As a result, you shouldn’t be too concerned about the scorpion escaping the tank. They are a common exotic pet because, despite their size, Pandinus imperator is a placid species of scorpion that does not act aggressively and has mild venom. They frequently just grab and crush their prey with their large pincers during hunting.
Diet:
Adults consume small animals and ground insects, while juveniles eat small crickets and fruit flies. They have mild venom. Emperor scorpions go out at night to hunt.
Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Pandinus cavimanus |
| Common Names | Red Claw Scorpion |
| Adult Size | 3.5-5 inch |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | Up to 8 years |
| Cost | $14 – $50 |
The Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion is similar to its smaller cousins because it belongs to the same genus as the well-known Emperor Scorpion. Both have dark brown or black, stocky, bodies, but the Tanzanian Red clawed scorpion has crimson claws and legs. These creatures can be found hiding under logs or rocks in the tropical rainforests of Tanzania.
These scorpions might not be suited for some newbies because they are much more protective than Emperor Scorpions and will sting you in self-defense. If you are a novice to housing scorpions, you may prefer to choose a more tame scorpion because they are quickly agitated and will attack in defense. Although, they are highly sought-after by owners because of their attractive rusty coloration and smaller size.
Diet:
They prefer prey like frogs, small mice, insects, and other rodents. Their stings are only used for protection; they are never used to catch prey.
Malaysian Black Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Heterometrus spinifer |
| Common Names | Giant Blue Scorpion, Giant Forest Scorpion, Malaysian Black Scorpion, Malaysian Forest Scorpion. |
| Adult Size | More than 10 cm (4 inches) |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | up to 8 years |
| Cost | $25 – $65 |
The Malaysian Black Scorpion is a large species that is difficult to get as a pet. They are not suitable for novices because of their aggressive behavior and tendency to attack with their pincers. Its mild venom, which often just results in regional pain and inflammation, is the reason why many continue to keep it as a pet.
They are mostly found in the tropical forests of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, and frequently dig burrows in the ground or below logs. A Malaysian black forest scorpion species called the Malaysian Forest Scorpion appears to be very similar to the Emperor Scorpion. It has a granulated exoskeleton that is glossy and black.
Diet:
All scorpions are meat eaters (carnivores) and use their tail’s stinger to make their victim paralyze. They consume small rodents and insects.
Javanese Jungle Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Heterometrus javanensis |
| Adult Size | 4-7 inches |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | 5 to 8 years |
The Javanese jungle scorpion, which is native to Indonesia’s rainforests, may survive in captivity for 5 to 8 years. Even though they’re quite difficult to find if you do get to find one, these scorpions are excellent for novices because of their ease of handling. The Javanese jungle scorpion is a black or dark brown color with a tint of green. These scorpions are fairly territorial and aggressive. With their powerful claws and mildly venomous stinger, they are most likely to defend themselves.
Diet:
Javanese Jungle Scorpions may be fed large insects, crickets, and occasionally mice.
Desert Hairy Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Hadrurus arizonensis |
| Common Names | Blacktop Hairy Scorpion, Black-back scorpion, Black Hairy Scorpion, and Black Back Desert Hairy Scorpions. |
| Adult Size | Up to 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.18 ounces |
| Lifespan | 7 to 10 years |
| Cost | $20 – $40 |
The Desert Hairy Scorpion is mostly found in the Colorado Desert, southern Nevada, the Mojave Desert in California, southwest Utah in the Southwestern states of the United States, and Arizona. The desert hairy scorpion is black in color with yellow claws, legs, and a tail. To catch prey, large claws are used. Although scorpions have several eyes that are sensitive to light, eyesight is not a major factor in where they find their victims.
These scorpions are not recommended for novices because their venom is stronger than the Emperor scorpion and causes a sting to be quite painful. They need a desert environment for their habitat, which includes a layer of coarse sand and occasional misting.
Diet:
This scorpion is a carnivore like other scorpions, eating insects, small mammals, lizards, and even other scorpions.
Large-Clawed Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Pandinus dictator |
| Common Names | Israeli gold scorpion and Zerachia scorpion. |
| Adult Size | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Weight | >one-ounce |
| Lifespan | 6–8 years |
| Cost | $20 – $50 |
Large-Clawed Scorpions are found in deep burrows in wild deserts in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Because one needs the right soil depth and moisture level, it might be hard to breed that habitat in captivity.
These are the best pet scorpions for novices because they are docile towards humans as long as you handle them carefully. They are not always aggressive, and like other scorpions, they only fight back when provoked. Large-clawed scorpions seldom sting because they choose to defend themselves with their powerful claws. Their venom is often mildly painful and not harmful to humans.
Diet:
These scorpions like eating crickets and locusts every other day.
Dictator Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Pandinus dictator |
| Adult Size | More than 8 inches |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | 5 to 8 years |
| Cost | $20 to $50 |
One of the best pet scorpions is the Pandinus dictator. Dictator scorpions are native to Central African states like Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. These uncommon, large, massive scorpions have a black or dark brown color. They have larger bodies and resemble lobsters with scorpion stingers attached to them.
The Dictator scorpion is very similar to the Emperor scorpion. It has a massive body and strong pincers. However, it usually behaves more timidly than aggressively towards humans and will spend a lot of time in a burrow.
Diet:
As carnivores, they enjoy ambushing their prey in the wild. Their primary sources of food are insects like roaches, mealworms, and crickets. If you want to treat them sometimes, you may offer them waxworms.
Asian Forest Scorpion:
| Scientific Name: | Heterometrus longimanus |
| Common Names | Black scorpion, Black emperor scorpion, and Asian black scorpion. |
| Adult Size | About 7-8 inches |
| Weight | One-ounce |
| Lifespan | 7-8 years |
| Cost | $10-$40 |
Asian forest scorpions live in Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests, where they pass their time on the forest floor, under debris and logs, and occasionally burrowing into the soil. They resemble Emperor Scorpions in appearance because of their overall black or dark brown bodies, however, they are smaller in size. Apart from the telson Asian forest scorpion is all black.
It features an enlarged pair of pedipalps that resemble pinchers, as do other arachnids, and eight legs that are attached to the cephalothorax. In comparison to females, males have longer tails and larger pinchers. They are one of the best pet scorpions because they are fairly hardy and may survive for more than eight years in captivity. Asian forest scorpions are also simple to feed, simple to keep, and simple to breed if you’re interested.
Diet:
This scorpion consumes spiders, insects, and crickets.
Conclusion:
Scorpions may become excellent pets for those who are interested in them or have a passion for them. Hopefully, this article about the best pet scorpions has given you some insight into whether you would like a scorpion and which species could be the most appropriate for your level of experience. Now you could choose which one of the best pet scorpions you want to keep. Ensure you can give your pet a comfy home and a suitable environment by doing your research.
FAQs:
The emperor scorpion is the species of scorpion that is most frequently recommended for novices to have as a pet. This scorpion is rather calm, and most individuals only experience a slight localized reaction to its venom when it stings them.
The smallest scorpion on the list is the large-clawed scorpion, which is native to the Middle East and Africa. It seldom stings and instead prefers using its powerful claws to defend itself. Although the venom is slightly stronger than that of a bee sting, most people are not at risk of dying from it.
Scorpions, particularly emperor scorpions, are getting more and more common as pets. The species is often difficult to handle, yet they are clean, quiet, and simple to keep.
Avoid handling scorpions that are kept as pets. Your scorpion could fall or run away and harm itself, and you could be pinched or stung. Take a set of long forceps with a foam tip if you need to move your scorpion.
There is no set formula for judging a scorpion’s poisonous only by its color. A wide variety of colors, including black, light brown, yellow, orange, brown, and a combination of all of the above, are available in highly poisonous scorpions.
Avoid Keeping These Scorpions:
It is not recommended to keep fat-tailed scorpions, which belong to the Androctonus genus. Androctonus, which means “man killer,” refers to the powerful neurotoxins that are present in the stings of these scorpions. Additionally, the Centruroides genus of scorpions, sometimes called bark scorpions, can be deadly. The Vaejovis genus of scorpions could also have extremely painful stings while being less poisonous.
