Pandinopsis dictator
- Latin Name: Pandinopsis dictator
- Common Name: Dictator Scorpion
- Temperature: 25° - 30°
- Temperament: May pinch if bothered, rarely sting
- Humidity: 80%
- Adult size: 7 inches
- Terrestrial: Rarely dig, prefer to use existing burrows
- Substrate: Moisture retaining soil
- Origin: Rainforests of West Africa
Extremely Rare
Pandinopsis dictator formerly known as Pandinus dictator, is regarded as one of the largest scorpions in the world, and a contender for the heaviest. Presumed to occupy humid tropical lowland environments in Cameroon, Gabon and Congo similar to that of it's close relative the Emperor Scorpion.
Extremely Rare in the pet trade, due to it's CITES listing in Appendix II along with Pandinus imperator. These scorpions are often mistaken for Emperor scorpions and can only be correctly identified by a handful of people in the hobby.
Taxonomy
Transferred from Pandinus to its own genus Pandinopsis by Prendini & Loria in 2020, based on re-evaluation of morphological characters (trichobothrial patterns, metasomal features)
Identification and Description
Size:
Pandinopsis is one of the largest scorpion species, with adults typically reaching lengths of up to 8 inches. Some individuals can weigh up to 30 grams.
Coloration:
Known for its glossy black exoskeleton, The exoskeleton’s shiny appearance adds to its striking visual appeal.
Pincers (Pedipalps):
It has large, robust pincers covered completely in granulation, giving them a rough appearance. The share are very round and large even for it's size.
The chela on P. dictator ae one of the few ways to tell it apart from P.imperator.
Tail (Metasoma):
Juveniles will have an orange/yellow telson where as sexually mature adult's will have red. Compared to its pincers, the tail is used less frequently for stinging.