Pandinopsis dictator

Pandinopsis
dictator

Pandinopsis dictator formerly known as Pandinus dictator, is regarded as one of the largest and heaviest scorpions in the world. 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.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Pandinopsis dictator is native to the tropical rainforests of Central Africa, particularly found in countries such as:

Cameroon
Gabon
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

This species inhabits humid lowland tropical rainforests.

It is typically found in:

Burrows dug in moist soil

Under logs, rocks, and leaf litter

Near fallen trees and root system (where shade and humidity are stable)

The environment is consistently warm (around 25–30 °C) with high humidity all year round, shaped by the dense canopy and heavy seasonal rains. These scorpions spend much of their time hidden in burrows or under natural cover, emerging mainly at night to hunt.

Physical Description

📏Size:

Pandinopsis dictator 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.

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🎨Coloration:

The Pandinopsis dictator is known for its glossy black exoskeleton. The exoskeleton’s shiny appearance adds to its striking visual appeal.

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Captive Care

📏Enclosure Size:

A single adult can be kept in a terrarium with a minimum size of 10 to 20 gallons. The enclosure should include a deep substrate, such as variations of top soil that can hold water to allow for burrowing, along with hiding spots such as cork bark, or artificial caves (do not use coconut fiber in well ventilated enclosures as they will dry out quickly)

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🌡️Temperature:

The ideal temperature range for this species is between 25°C to 30°C . A heat mat on the side or a heated room can be used to maintain these temperatures. (Never place a heat mat underneath enclosure for fossorial species).

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💧Humidity:

High humidity levels (around 80%) are essential for their health. Regular misting of the enclosure can provide a quick spike in humidity but having a soil that holds moisture very well inside an enclosure where humidity cannot escape easily will be key for these species thriving.

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🌱Substrate:

Deep, compactable substrate (at least 15–20 cm) for burrowing. A mix of coco fibre, organic soil, and clay works well to hold stable burrows. Keep one side of the substrate more moist to create a humidity gradient.

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⏰Feeding schedule:

Feed every 2 weeks. Offer appropriately sized prey such as crickets, roaches, or locusts. Adults may skip meals, so remove uneaten prey after 24 hours.

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🥣Water Source:

Provide a shallow water dish with fresh water. This species will readily drink and sometimes sit in the dish to help regulate hydration.

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🍃Ventilation

Moderate ventilation is important. Coss-ventilation works best. Too little airflow will cause mold in the humid environment, while too much will dry the substrate too quickly.

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🙈Hides:

Essential to provide deep substrate for burrow construction. You can also add flat rocks, cork bark, or artificial caves to simulate natural rocky crevices and ground litter shelters.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Pandinopsis dictator

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COMMON NAME:

• Dictator Scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 25°- 30°

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TEMPERAMENT:

• May pinch

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HUMIDITY:

• 80%

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COMMUNAL:

• Yes

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SIZE:

• Up to 17cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Water-retaining Soil

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ORIGIN:

• Rainforests of Central Africa

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FACTS

Pandinopsis dictator is often overshadowed by its more famous cousins like Pandinus imperator (the emperor scorpion). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- RARITY Pandinopsis dictator is endemic to Gabon, a small country in Central Africa. Unlike more widespread species, it is only found in this specific region, making it particularly rare in both the wild and captivity. This species is very rarely seen in the exotic pet trade or scientific literature. It's one of the least studied large scorpions, partly due to its rarity, protected habitat, and low visibility. This makes any new discovery about it quite valuable to arachnologists.