Keeping Emperor Scorpions: A Beginner's Guide

So, you're thinking about keeping an Emperor Scorpion, huh? They might seem creepy or even scary to some, but for those who keep them, they're unique, fascinating creatures. And let me tell you, they've got quite the charm.

First off, these guys are big – like, really big. But don't worry, they're not quick to strike or anything. They've got this calm vibe going on. And their venom? It's not much worse than a bee sting. Plus, they're chill with different environments, so even though they're from the hot African tropics, you can find them as pets almost anywhere.

Now, if you're into unconventional pets and you're tired of cats and dogs, Emperor Scorpions might be your jam. They're totally trending, especially among the younger crowd.

But let's be real, not everyone's on board with keeping scorpions as pets. So, if you're new to the world of arachnids and you're not sure how to take care of one, I got your back. Let's go through the basics.

Living Space

Alright, so if you're keeping Emperor Scorpions as pets, you want to make sure their living space is on point. Think of it like bringing a bit of their natural habitat indoors.

Emperor Scorpions are all about that tropical life. They're nocturnal predators, chilling during the day under moist leaves or in cozy caves, then coming out at night to hunt. And when they're all grown up, they can reach a hefty 20 centimeters in length. So, when setting up their digs, size matters.

First things first, their crib should be spacious, especially if you've got more than one. Sure, they can live together, but if space gets tight, they might turn on each other, especially if dinner's running late. It's not just a pet thing – it's a scorpion survival instinct. You want to keep the strongest ones around, right?

Glass or plastic containers work fine, just make sure they're sturdy and well-ventilated. Oh, and don't forget the lid! These scorpions are strong enough to pop it open, especially when you're not around.

Keep things cozy with a heating pad underneath the tank. They can handle temps around 20°C, but they thrive at around 25°C. So, if your place gets chilly in the winter, extra heating is a must to keep them from freezing their little exoskeletons off.

Alright, so once you've got the container sorted, it's time to deck it out with some comfy digs for your scorpion buddies.

You'll want to lay down a thick layer of substrate. Think sterilized potting soil, coconut fiber, or soft bark – something that's nice and loose. This makes it easy to maintain high humidity while giving your scorpions plenty of room to burrow or just chill out.

Now, when it comes to humidity, tossing in some moisture-loving moss can help. Just make sure not to cover the entire bottom – leave some space for digging!

With the base all set, it's obstacle course time. Rocks, branches, maybe even some cool tree stump decorations – these are all great for sparking your scorpion's climbing instincts and giving them spots to hang out above ground. No need for them to be cave dwellers all the time!

Feeding

Now that we've got the living situation sorted, let's talk about chow time.

Just like in the wild, scorpions are all about live insects. And pretty much anything smaller than them is fair game. So, stock up on some crickets, mealworms, or other nutritious critters.

Don't overdo it with the feeding schedule – 2 to 3 times a week is plenty. They don't need to eat every day. You can adjust the frequency based on observation. If you notice they're leaving leftovers, you can space out the meals a bit. Generally, one scorpion can polish off 2 to 3 snacks in one sitting.

If you've got a few scorpions sharing a crib, don't dump all the bugs in at once. It's better to follow the "little and often" rule. They'll hunt when they're hungry, no need to serve the bugs on a silver platter. And if there are leftovers, no worries – as long as it's not during molting time, it won't cause any harm.

Speaking of molting, if your scorpion's shedding, lay off the snacks. This is their most vulnerable time, and they need their rest. So, resist the urge to intervene and let them do their thing until they're back to normal.

Drink

Let's wrap up with a chat about the drink that comes with the meal.

Unlike their eating habits, scorpions need a sip every day, not just once a week. So, it's essential to have a shallow and sturdy water dish in their crib. Make sure it's secured to prevent spills during drinking or climbing. And to keep things clean, aim to change the water daily and give the dish a good scrub every 10 days.

Here's the deal: keep it simple. There's no need to add anything else to the water dish, like stuffing it with cotton balls to retain moisture. That's overkill. Even if the dish tips over, it won't harm the scorpion. They're used to moist environments, and adding cotton might mess with their hydration game, especially if they accidentally munch on the fibers – not good for their health.

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