Our favorite scorpion in the world of pets is undoubtedly the Emperor scorpion. The Tanzanian red clawed scorpion is also an extremely close relative of the emperor. It can be found in the center of Africa, rather than in the northern region where the emperors lived. It resembles an emperor in appearance. Despite being generally safe, they must still be treated with care because they can be harmful. Most people are not seriously harmed by the mild sting of the Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion. The Tanzanian Red Claw Scorpion is reportedly not too hard to care for but not recommended for newbies and is often easy to find. Continue reading to learn more about Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion captive care and handling.
An Overview of the Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion
| Scientific Name | Pandinus cavimanus |
| Common Name | The Pandinus cavimanus (Tanzanian red claw) is also known as the red claw scorpion. |
| Species | P. cavimanus |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Scorpiones |
| Family | Scorpionidae |
| Type | Terrestrial |
| Habitat and Range | The humid forest floor of Africa’s tropical rainforests, particularly Tanzania, is the Tanzanian red clawed scorpion’s native habitat. They might be found hiding under fallen logs, rocks, or shallow burrows because they like to hide. |
| Social Structure | Independent and Solitary |
| Size | 3.5-5.0 inches |
| Activity Cycle | Nocturnal |
| Lifespan | 5 to 8 years in captivity3 to 7 years in the wild |
| Diet | They eat small anoles, roaches, crickets, locust or pinky mice. |
| Natural Defenses | Painful Sting |
| Venom | Low potency – slightly more painful than a bee sting |
| Experience Level | Intermediate |
Nutritional Requirements of Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion:
The primary sources of nutrition for scorpions should be live insects including crickets, locusts, butter worms, super worms, mealworms, houseflies, and cockroaches. Tanzanian red claw scorpions consume insects, small mice, frogs, and other small animals in the wild. You can sometimes offer them treats like super worms or dubia roaches. Tanzanian red-clawed scorpions may consume a large amount of food at feeding time but only need to be fed every couple of days. However, regular feeding is necessary for scorplings.
- Mealworms and pinhead crickets are favorites among them.
- Keep in mind to throw away any leftover food after around an hour or two. Tanzanian Red Claw Scorpions in captivity can be fed roaches, small anoles, crickets, locusts, hoppers, and pinky mice.
- Fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be given to your pet red claw scorpions because they are strict carnivores and will only consume live prey.
Appearance:
The Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion is a typical scorpion and resembles the Emperor Scorpion in appearance. Their body color is black, and depending on where they were caught, their claws may be bright red colored or just a hue of red. Some may even have a little reddish tint to their backs. In general, they are smaller than Emperor Scorpions, growing to a maximum size of around 9 to 12.5 cm (3.5 to 5.0 inches).
Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion Behavior and Temperament:
However, the Red Clawed Scorpion is not suitable for communal housing and gets along badly with other scorpions, including other Red Claw scorpions. It is not recommended for novices since it has a tendency to be more aggressive and likely to sting than the Emperor scorpion.
Breeding:
Tanzanian red claw scorpion breeding could be difficult. Because they very seldom find an appropriate mating partner, the most probable outcome is that they will fight it out to the death.
Are Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpions Venomous?
Most people are not severely harmed by the mild sting of the Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion. Even an individual who has been stung many times might become hypersensitive to their sting. The results of being stung might be lethal for children and anyone who are allergic to their sting. They must always be treated respectfully and carefully because of this reason.
Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion Handling:
Tanzanian red clawed scorpions have known for being quite aggressive, and they often sting when disturbed. Hence, it is actually recommended that you avoid trying to handle them. If you have to clean out the tank, it is preferable to use a net or ladle to scoop up your pet scorpion. Alternately, push the scorpion into a little plastic container by using the lid. Make sure to use a cover with air holes while moving your pet scorpion into another container to clean the tank.
Terrarium Requirements:
The Tanzanian red claw scorpion needs a plastic or glass tank, as required for the majority of pet scorpions. For one adult, this should be at least 18″x18″x12″ and 10-gallon in volume to give it room to move around and hide. Because scorpions like to roam about, dig, and burrow, floor space should be more of a concern when selecting a tank for one.
Substrate:
To allow your scorpion to burrow, you will require substrate. This has to be at least 2-3 inches deep. The following are the top substrate choices for Tanzanian red clawed scorpions:
- Potting soil (fertilizer-free)
- Peat mixed with orchid bark
- Humus bricks
- Compost (fertilizer-free)
- Peat moss
Water must be sprayed on the substrate daily, but not to the extent where it gets wet. It is important to take precautions to prevent the substrate from growing fungus or mold.
Heating and Lightning:
Because Tanzanian red clawed scorpions are from warmer climates in Africa, it is critical to keep their tank at a warm temperature. You’ll need a heat mat or heat lamp for this. Two heat lamps can be placed on either side of the tank, each set to a different temperature.
Temperature:
Temperatures between 24 to 28 degrees Celsius (75 to 82°F) are needed for this species. For the scorpion to be able to regulate its body temperature as required, a temperature gradient is crucial. A heating mat made for use under reptile enclosures is the simplest way to create a gradient. Multiple thermometers are placed to monitor the temperatures in different regions.
Humidity:
It’s crucial to maintain high humidity levels, between 75 to 80 percent. By putting a water dish in the cage and misting the tank every day, you could accurately measure the levels by using a hygrometer.
Hides:
Giving your pet scorpion hides is another good option. You may do this using driftwood, damp moss, cork bark, plant pots, rocks, or special reptile hides. Artificial plants are excellent for tank decoration and also give your scorpion another place to hide.
Health:
Maintaining the ideal circumstances at all times is essential for maintaining the health of your Tanzanian red clawed scorpion. You must spend money on a high-quality thermometer that also monitors humidity because these conditions are crucial to their health and well-being.
Although Tanzanian red clawed scorpions prefer a humid environment, too much humidity could cause a disease called mycosis that can be lethal because it results in fungus growing close to their lungs. So, it is crucial to routinely check your terrarium to make sure there hasn’t been a fungal buildup.
Additionally, you must examine your scorpion once a week to ensure no mold or fungus has grown on its shell. If it has, you must use a damp cotton swab to remove it. After that, your pet scorpion must spend a week in a dry environment.
A healthy scorpion is active and alert, and it should have a good-looking exoskeleton. They’ll eat consistently and have a well-balanced, full and rounded body. Although, sick or diseased scorpions will have very distinct appearances. Loss of appetite is frequently the first sign of illness in scorpions, however, they frequently stop eating before molting also, thus a sick scorpion will generally also exhibit other symptoms along with their poor appetite. These signs include
- Lethargy
- Swollen limbs
- Dull exoskeleton
- Weight loss
- Abnormal feces
If you see any of the aforementioned signs, it is recommended to contact a nearby exotic vet for guidance and assistance.
Conclusion:
The Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion is very similar but more aggressive in appearance to the popular Emperor Scorpion. They are usually not recommended for newbies because of their aggression. Here is the complete care guide including Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion housing, handling, cleaning, etc. Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion care and housing is not a difficult task but keep in mind to handle them with care and not make them aggressive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion
Since they don’t get along with other scorpions, not even members of their species, red-claw scorpions must not be housed among others in captivity. They frequently indulge in fights to the death and are capable of cannibalism. Young red-claw scorpions might perhaps be kept together up to their fifth molt, after which they can be separated to prevent fighting and possible eating.
In general, they are smaller than Emperor Scorpions, growing to a maximum size of around 3.5-5 inches (9 to 12.5 cm). Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpions are a great species for beginners, but you should be conscious that they sting more often than Emperors do.
The damp forest floor of the tropical African rainforest is the Tanzanian red claw scorpion’s native environment. They prefer prey like frogs, insects, small mice, and other rodents. Their stings are exclusively used for protection; they are never used to catch prey. Red claw scorpion reproduction can be difficult.
