How to Keep a Scorpion As a Pet
Pet scorpions aren't for everybody, and not all scorpions make good pets. Of the 1,500 different types of scorpion species, 24 are deadly. If you are interested in owning a pet scorpion, buy one from a pet store or online; never try to catch a wild scorpion. Most pet stores sell Emperor scorpions, which are relatively harmless to humans. They can still pinch and sting, though, so handling them is not recommended. Scorpions are low-maintenance, inexpensive and easy to take care of as pets. As long as you provide your pet scorpion with the proper habitat and food, your pet scorpion can live up to 6 or 7 years.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 10-gallon fish tank or aquarium with lid
- Under-tank heat pad
- Eco-Earth substrate or sand
- Shallow water bowl
- Hide area
- Gut-loaded crickets and mealworms
Instructions
-
-
1
Set up the tank on a tabletop or other surface near a power outlet.
-
2
Place a heat pad underneath one side of the tank and plug it into the power outlet.
-
-
3
Put a few inches of substrate or sand down in the bottom of the tank so your scorpion can burrow. Use Eco-Earth substrate for tropical scorpions, or play sand for dessert scorpions.
-
4
Make a hiding area for your scorpion using a hide box or large half-log.
-
5
Attach a tank thermometer to the upper-back wall on the same side of the tank as the heat pad.
-
6
Keep a shallow bowl filled with water in one corner of the tank.
-
7
Place the scorpion into the tank and close the lid securely.
-
8
Feed your scorpion two to three gut-loaded meal worms or crickets every two to three days. As your scorpion grows, increase crickets or mealworms by one or two, depending on how much your scorpion eats.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Purchase a tank or terrarium with a locking lid, or keep a few heavy books on a regular screen lid, to prevent your scorpion from escaping. Scorpions are strong enough to lift tank lids.
When you need to remove the scorpion from its tank, use pair of long forceps or tongs with foam or cloth wrapped around the clasping end to safely and harmlessly move the scorpion.
Keep mealworms and crickets in their own separate enclosure with moist potato chips and a piece of egg carton to keep them alive and healthy until feeding time.
Purchase a 15- or 20-gallon tank for three or more scorpions.
All scorpions can sting and pinch and, although most stings do not require medical attention, they can still be very painful. Handling scorpions is not recommended.
Although scorpions can have multiple tank mates, cannibalism can sometimes occur.
References
- Photo Credit PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
