Popular Types of Pet Scorpions

You really don’t want to pick up a scorpion from the wild and bring it home. Some scorpions have venom more powerful than a bee sting and in some species the venom can be lethal. The following is a basic guide to the popular types of pet scorpions.


AFRICAN BURROWING SCORPIONS

As the name indicates, these scorpions are native to Africa and dig long, deep tunnels in fairly hard packed ground. There are approximately 50 species of African burrowing scorpions ranging in size from 2.5 to 6 inches long. These scorpions are colourful critters with stocky builds and large, broad pincers.

African Burrowing scorpions are very aggressive and will sting if cornered, or restrained. There venom ranges from mild to strong and the pain from its sting is very intense, lasting up to 48 hours.

This species of scorpion is best left to the experienced collector.

A 10 gallon terrarium, or aquarium, tank with a heat pad on the bottom of one side will serve nicely as its home. There should be 3 to 5 inches of eco-earth, bed-a-beast, or potting soil as ground cover. Bark, or driftwood, will create a nice looking habitat and provides good hide areas. A shallow water bowl and gut loaded crickets, or cockroaches, will comprise this scorpions diet.


ASIAN FOREST SCORPIONS

With a native habitat ranging from India to Malaysia, this scorpion is a large, heavy, black creature that can grow up to 5 inches long. These scorpions normally live on the surface under rocks and logs, but will burrow. They closely resemble the Emperor scorpions and are sometimes sold as such in pet stores.

This scorpion is much more aggressive than emperor scorpions.

They can be kept in groups, but it’s not recommended due to their aggressive disposition. An Asian Forest scorpion’s venom is mild and they are a common pet.

A 10 gallon aquarium or terrarium with an under-tank heat pad on one side of the tank is a suitable home. Provide a shallow water dish and a hiding area – more than one if you’re housing multiple scorpions together. The substrate should be 4 to 5 inches deep and gut-loaded crickets or mealworms will make up their diet.


BARK SCORPIONS

North America, Central America, northern parts of South America and the West Indies are home to the Bark scorpion. Ranging in size from 1.5 to 3 inches, there are 41 species of Bark scorpions. From deserts to moist forests, this scorpion will hide under leaves, loose bark, crevices of trees, or any place that gives them cover.

Bark scorpions are excellent climbers and fast runners. They can be aggressive and although the sting of most Bark scorpions is not life threatening, some have venom that is potentially lethal.

They are considered the most dangerous scorpion in the USA.

The home should be a 10 gallon tank with a locking screen top. A substrate of 3 to 4 inches should line the bottom with an under-tank heat pad on one side. These scorpions enjoy lots of hiding places and need a shallow water dish. Crickets and other gut loaded insects will be their diet.


EMPEROR SCORPIONS

Native to tropical Africa and other countries located near the equator, these scorpions live close to the surface in tunnels and under moisture retaining ground litter. One of the largest scorpions, the Emperor has a large, shiny black body, bumpy pincers, and can grow to be more than 8 inches. The venom is mild and Emperor Scorpions are not usually very aggressive.

The Emperor scorpion is the most common type found as a pet.

Multiple Emperors can live together in a single tank, but there is always the possibility of cannibalism when you put more than one scorpion in a habitat.

Use a 10 gallon tank or terrarium for a single Emperor scorpion and put a heat pad on one side of the tank. The bottom of the tank needs 3 to 4 inches of substrate soil. Give your scorpion a shallow water bowl and hiding area(s) like half logs, or cork bark. Crickets and mealworms that have been gut loaded can be the primary diet.


FLAT ROCK SCORPIONS

Averaging 7 inches, this large species of scorpion is native to South Africa. Their large, strong, flat pincers are well suited for grabbing prey hiding in cracks. The Flat Rock scorpion is usually docile, slow to run and rarely stings. Their venom is low in toxicity and with their thin bodies this species of scorpion is more easily injured than others.

This scorpion is an excellent choice for the novice collector.

10 gallon tanks with a heat pad under one side makes a good home for this scorpion. The hiding areas should be narrow and tight fitting. Well secured stacks of rocks or slate available at most pet stores work well. The substrate will need to be 2-4 inches deep and comprised of eco-earth or sand. The scorpion will need a shallow water bowl and a good diet will consist of gut loaded crickets and mealworms.

Only one scorpion should be kept per habitat due to their territorial nature.


GIANT HAIRY SCORPIONS

Arizona, Nevada, Utah and California are home to eight known species of the Giant Hairy Scorpion. Living in rocky deserts, they dig deep burrows in dry sandy areas. Ranging in size from 3.5 to 4 inches, these yellow-green scorpions are the largest found in North America.

This scorpion will quickly run away from confrontation, but will take defensive positions and sting if cornered, or provoked. Venom of the Giant Hairy Scorpion is considered weak to mild, causing pain and swelling when stung, but not life threatening.

This docile scorpion makes a good choice for beginners.

A ten gallon terrarium or aquarium with an under tank heat pad makes a suitable habitat for the giant hairy scorpion. The substrate should be three to four inches of a mixture of sand and potting soil or eco-earth. Shallow water dish and hide areas such as cork bark should be provided. Food for the scorpion consists of gut loaded crickets and other insects.


GOLD SCORPIONS

Gold Scorpions come from western Africa and the Middle East. Burrowing in sandy soil of rocky areas, this scorpion varies from 2 to 3.5 inches. They are quick moving, small, chunky scorpions. Coloring is a shiny straw or golden yellow.

Many of this species will sting if confronted and nip with their pincers. The sting is quite painful and some of these scorpions produce more severe symptoms than simple swelling and numbness.

Having bad dispositions, these are for an experienced collectors.

A ten gallon terrarium with an under tank heat pad is required. Sand or a mixture of eco-earth and sand 3 to 4 inches deep makes a suitable substrate. Their homes should have a shallow water dish and small flat rocks, cork bark, or logs to make hide areas. Multiple gold scorpions can be in the same habitat as long as they are well fed and enough hiding areas and places to burrow are supplied. Gut loaded crickets and other insects will make up the scorpion’s diet.