How to Feed a Scorpion

Scorpions are extremely hardy animals. These invertebrates live in areas of crushing heat and sun that support little life. They can also be found in tropical zones full of great genetic diversity, and these species feed accordingly. Rulers of their domains, content to subsist on the bare minimum or to take advantage of easy and abundant prey, scorpions are a versatile pet for the amateur owner.

Things You'll Need

• Housing for live prey, if kept overnight or longer
• Live food supply
• Long tweezers or tongs

Instructions

Know Your Species

1. Research your particular species of pet scorpion by its Latin name to determine how it feeds and its level of toxicity to humans.

2. Feed a potentially dangerous animal only when you know its habits well.

3. Learn about the feeding habits of scorpions from different environments in a manual such as "Arachnomania" (see Resources below). The size and type of prey you feed will depend on your scorpions age, size and natural habitat.

Feed Your Scorpion

1. Buy or raise live crickets, grasshoppers, small lizards or baby ("pink") mice.

2. Remove or open the shelter lid.

3. Pick up prey insects with tongs or long tweezers and drop them into your scorpion's shelter.

4. Get help keeping an eye on your feeding pets in shelters with multiple scorpions. You'll need to concentrate on safely transferring the prey.

5. Remove any uneaten food. Scorpions can live a long time without eating and sometimes stop eating when they molt. Uneaten live or dead food in the shelter is unsanitary.

Tips & Warnings

• Medium-sized scorpions can live for 5 to 6 years.

• Unlike many invertebrates that eat live prey, you can house multiple scorpions together.

• Be absolutely sure that your scorpion's shelter is situated in a secure area where it can't topple. Ensure that the lid snaps or locks tightly.

• Tired of buying crickets? Purchase a cricket cage and "grow" your own.

• Feed prey that you catch only if you are certain it has not come in contact with pesticides.

• Never handle a scorpion when it is feeding.

• All scorpions sting and many emit a deadly poison. You can also be hurt by their pincers. Do not pick up or pet scorpions. Handle these pets only when absolutely necessary, with foam-tipped forceps.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Scorpion facts at Arachnopets
• Info and experienced handlers at Amateur Entomologists Society
• Care and feeding