Emperor Scorpion

(Pandinus imperator)

CLASSIFICATION

KINGDOM: Animalia
PHYLUM: Anthropoda
SUB-PHYLUM: Chelicerata
CLASS: Arachnida
ORDER: Scorpionida
FAMILY: Scorpionidae
GENUS: Pandinus
SPECIES: imperator

Scorpions are arthropods distinguished by such striking features as large pedipalps furnished with stout claws, and an abdomen divided into two portions, a broad, seven segmented preabdomen, and a five-segmented posterior with a slender tail ending in a sting.

RangeThe scorpion is found in warm and dry tropical regions, including Africa, South America, India, the southwestern United States, and other continents of the like.

HabitatThe scorpion is a forest dweller and likes to form burrows. Its only niche is that it must be in a warm sub-tropical or tropical like environment. It's most important adaptation is the stinger at the end of its tail. However, few scorpions are dangerous to humans, and ordinarily they do not attack unless disturbed. For the most part, the sting of a scorpion only causes pain and swelling, and can be cured after some shots. The tail is segmented so that it can reach out and strike quicker without moving its whole body.

DietScorpions are predatory carnivores, so they feed on insects and spiders. They capture their food with the claws and then kill it with the sting of their tail. Baby scorpions often start out on small crickets or already dead mice. The scorpion can fast for weeks without causing detrimental effect. In captivity, the scorpion will feed mainly on crickets, mealworms, and pre-killed mice.

GestationThe scorpion reaches sexual maturity in 6 to 7 months. When mating, scorpions will perform an interesting courtship dance called "promenade-a-deux." The male will grasp the females pedipalps with his own. He then leads her to a site suitable to deposit his spermatophore. This done, he precedes to pull her over the site where she will lower herself and transfer the sperm through her genital opening. A few months later as birth nears, whitish masses will appear under the intersegmental membrane. Soon after birth, the young will collect themselves on the mother's back where they will stay without feeding until their first molt. They will then scatter for feeding, at which time there is a high chance of cannibalism by the other young or the mother. Unlike most scorpion species, Emperor scorpion mothers actually perform some care for their young. They will catch and crush crickets which they will leave for the young who will gather around for a communal feed. Young scorpions will often die during molting. Emperor scorpions have a better survival rate for the very young, but they make up for it with a high molting mortality for older offspring. In the wild, the mother-young relationship can last from several months to years with the young remaining in the family group as adults.

LongevityThe life expectancy for the scorpion is between 5 and 8 years.

Temperature/HumidityTemperature/Humidity:76 degrees F-86 degrees F. Moderate to high humidity is provided by dampening a section of the substrate under a preferred shelter and by weekly misting of terrarium. Lighting: Full spectrum lighting is not recommended for Emperor Scorpions. To watch normal behavioral patterns use low wattage incandescent red bulb. Use of regular lighting will cause most specimens to seek shelter and remain in hiding until dark. Emperor Scorpions will fluoresce (turn bright green) when exposed to a black light bulb. However this is not recommended for long term use.

WaterProvide a small shallow water dish with fresh water at all times. Also should be misted about once a week.

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