Pandinus imperator

Pandinus
imperator

Pandinus imperator, known as the emperor scorpion, is one of the largest scorpion species. Native to the rainforests and savannas of West Africa, it is very popular in the due to its exclusivity.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) has a restricted distribution in West Africa, where it is one of the largest arachnids. Its range extends primarily across the Guinean forest and savanna zones, which run parallel to the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

Core distribution: Countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
Peripheral range: Scattered populations have also been recorded in Burkina Faso and possibly into Cameroon’s western edges, though less commonly.
The range does not extend far north into the Sahel, as this species requires humid conditions, nor does it reach into Central or Southern Africa where other scorpion genera dominate.
The natural distribution is strongly tied to tropical rainforest belts and moist savanna regions influenced by the West African monsoon.

Because of habitat destruction and the pet trade, their populations are becoming more localized and fragmented in some areas, particularly in heavily deforested parts of Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast.

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

Within this West African range, P. imperator shows distinct habitat preferences:

Forested areas:

It is most commonly associated with lowland tropical rainforests, where canopy cover maintains stable temperatures and high humidity

Moist savanna:

Populations also occur in wooded savannas and forest–savanna mosaics, provided there is enough cover and access to damp refuges.

Shelters and microhabitats:

Occupies burrows (self-dug or abandoned rodent/invertebrate burrows).
Found under logs, rocks, and thick leaf litter, where they are insulated from heat and moisture loss.
Their burrows may extend 30–60 cm deep, creating stable microclimates with high humidity and lower temperature fluctuations.

Environmental conditions:

Requires high relative humidity
Prefers temperatures of around 25–30 °C, consistent with the equatorial climate.
Avoids direct sunlight and open, dry habitats.

Ecological role:

Being nocturnal predators, they emerge at night to hunt insects, spiders, small invertebrates, and occasionally vertebrates like small lizards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

📏Size:

The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is among the largest scorpion species in the world, with adults typically reaching 16cm in body length. Some particularly large individuals can exceed 20 cm are heavy-bodied and robust, weighing between 30–50 grams, which contributes to their imposing appearance.

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🎨Coloration:

Their coloration is generally a uniform glossy black to dark brown, though the pedipalps and carapace often appear darker and more textured than the softer body segments. Juveniles tend to be reddish-brown and gradually darken to full black as they mature.

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CAPTIVE CARE

📏Enclosure Size:

A single adult P. imperator can be housed in a 20 litre terrarium, group setups will require larger enclosures, reptile based enclosures such as Exo-terras are not reccomended due to their inability to hold humidity withouot modification.

The enclosure must allow for deep substrate for burrowing, and should include hides such as cork bark, slate, or artificial caves. Avoid coconut fiber as the sole substrate in well-ventilated setups, as it dries out too quickly.

It is up to the owner to find a suitable enclosure based on the current size of the scorpion. awlays prioritise floor space and avoid tall enclosures for terrestrial scorpions.

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🌡️Temperature:

Maintain a warm environment of 27–32 °C (80-90°F). A side-mounted heat mat or ambient room heating works best to avoid overheating the substrate and disturbing burrow humidity. Never place a heat mat underneath the enclosure, as burrowing species can become trapped in overheated soil. Monitor with a thermometer at both the surface and inside the substrate to ensure stability.

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💧Humidity:

P. imperator requires high humidity (75–85%) to thrive. This is best achieved by using a moisture-retentive substrate and reducing ventilation loss rather than relying solely on misting. Occasional misting provides short humidity spikes, but maintaining a humid soil layer and partially covering the enclosure top will create a consistent environment. Dehydration can be fatal, so stable humidity is crucial.

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🌱Substrate:

Use a deep, compactable substrate layer to allow natural burrow construction. An effective mix includes:

Organic topsoil / potting soil (without fertilizers or pesticides)
Coco fibre (coir) for structure
Clay or sand for firmness and stability

Keep one side of the substrate moist, allowing the scorpion to choose between wetter and drier zones, mimicking natural microhabitats.

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⏰Feeding schedule:

Feed adults every 10–14 days. Offer live prey such as:

Crickets
Roaches
Locusts
Occasionally mealworms or superworms (not as staple food)

Juveniles may feed more often, about once per week. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to avoid stress or injury to the scorpion. Adults sometimes fast for weeks, which is normal if the scorpion is otherwise healthy.

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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:

Provide multiple hiding spots to reduce stress:

Burrow space with deep substrate is the most important.
Add flat stones, cork bark, or artificial caves to replicate natural forest floor shelters.
For communal setups, ensure each scorpion has separate hide options to reduce competition and aggression.

VENOM

💉 Pandinus imperator has relatively mild venom compared to many other scorpions. Its sting is typically no more severe than a bee or wasp sting in most healthy adult humans, causing localized pain, swelling, and redness that usually subsides within a few hours to a couple of days.

The venom is composed mainly of low-potency neurotoxins and peptides, which act on ion channels but are not strong enough to cause serious systemic effects in humans. For this reason, the emperor scorpion relies more heavily on its large pedipalps to subdue prey, reserving its venom for defense.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Pandinus imperator

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COMMON NAME:

• Emperor Scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 27°- 32°

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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 16cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial/Fossorial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Water-retaining Soil

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ORIGIN:

• Rainforests of West Africa

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FACTS

IUCN STATUS

(INTERNATION UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE)

Pandinus imperator is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade. The species faces threats from deforestation and human encroachment on its natural habitats. Conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the survival of this species in the wild.

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CITES

It is also listed under Appendix II of CITES, which means that international trade in Emperor Scorpions is regulated to prevent over-exploitation.

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Latin Name

The latin name may mean "Terrible Forest Emperor".

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Behavior

Unlike many scorpions, which are solitary, Emperor Scorpions can sometimes be found in groups in the wild, especially during the breeding season. They are perhaps one of the few species of scorpions that are truly communal. However, they can be territorial in captivity especially gravid females.

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Geographical Range

Pandinus imperator is native to West Africa, where it occurs primarily within the tropical rainforest and humid savanna zones. Its confirmed range includes countries along the Upper and Lower Guinean forest regions.

The species is most commonly associated with lowland rainforest habitats, though it may also be found in savanna–forest transition zones where sufficient humidity and shelter are present.

Populations are typically patchily distributed, depending on suitable microhabitats such as deep leaf litter, fallen timber, termite mounds, and stable soil conditions for burrowing. The species is absent from arid regions and higher elevations where humidity levels are insufficient.

Due to historical over-collection for the pet trade and ongoing habitat loss, wild populations are now considered locally reduced in some areas, though the species remains relatively widespread within its natural range.