How to Care for a Black Scorpion

Make your black scorpion thrive.

The black scorpion, or black emperor scorpion, lives throughout the rainforests of western Africa. Considered a docile species amongst nearly 2,000 known species, you can keep the black scorpion as an exotic pet. The black scorpion's coloration varies from a cobalt-blackish to brownish-black. Males and females can live together in aquarium tanks. To identify a male, check the pectines, or comb-like appendages on the under belly. The male's are larger than a female's.

Things You'll Need

• Black scorpion
• Aquarium, 5 to 10 gallon
• Peat Moss
• Screen lid
• Tree branches and rocks
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Crickets
• Shallow dish
• Aquarium digital thermometer
• Rubber-tipped forceps
• Plastic container

Instructions

1. Fill a five to 10 gallon aquarium with at least five inches of peat moss. Alternatively, you can use potting soil free of pesticides and fertilizer. Refresh the soil monthly. Enclose the aquarium with a screen lid, as scorpions are great climbers.

2. Provide tree branches and rocks for your black scorpion to climb upon, but don't crowd your habitat. Scorpions like to burrow.

3. 

   Mist your aquarium daily. Avoid saturating the substrate with water. This can cause mold to develop.

4. Keep your scorpion out of direct sunlight. Ultra violet rays causes stress and can lead to the death of your scorpion.

5. 

   Avoid overfeeding your pet.

   Feed your black scorpion once a week. Provide three crickets at a time. Scorpions might not eat their prey all at once. If you're scorpion refuses to eat, remove the crickets and offer them again one to two hours later.

6. Put a shallow dish filled with water inside your aquarium. The dish should be small enough for your scorpion to escape out of in case it slips in.

7. Monitor your aquarium's humidity. The temperature within the tank should never exceed 90 degrees F.

8. Use rubber-tipped forceps to remove your scorpion when cleaning its aquarium. Grab your scorpion gently by its tail (below its stinger) and place it in a plastic container.

Tips & Warnings

• If you intend to keep more than one black scorpion, opt for a 20-gallon aquarium. You can keep up to three within this size tank.

• You can give your scorpion a pinky mouse bought at your local pet store once a month as a treat.

• The black scorpion can deliver a sting like a wasp. Individuals with allergic responses can have a painful reaction.

• Unless you know what you're doing, don't pick up a black scorpion with your hand.

• It isn't recommended to house two males in your aquarium, as confrontations will occur.

• Always keep your lid on your aquarium.

• Black scorpions tend to arrange their furnishings. Allow your scorpion to do this, as placing items back in their original spots can stress your scorpion out.

References

• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Emperor Scorpion; Pandanus imperator
• University of Kentucky Entomology: Kentucky Bug Connection; Pet Bugs; Exotic Arthropods; Ryan Reed, et. al; April 19, 2004

Resources

• California Zoological Supply: Cal Zoo's Reference Sheet; Emperor Scorpion