Emperor Scorpion
Pandinus imperator
Scorpions are arachnids, along with spiders, mites and ticks. There are around 600 species of which this is one of the largest. Our adult scorpions are called ‘Lucius’ and ‘Septimus’. We had young for the first time in 2014!
Measurements
Size: Up to 20cm in length
Habitat
Emperor scorpions live in the humid bush and forests of western Africa. They often live in burrows or under rocks.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of other arthropods (invertebrates with jointed legs) such as grasshoppers, crickets, moths, flies, ants, termites, beetles and spiders.
Breeding
Scorpions are ovoviviparous (incubate eggs internally then give birth to live young) and the young spend their first days or weeks on their mother’s back.
Conservation
Although not evaluated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are listed on CITES, a convention which limits international trade in this species.
Threat Level
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