Common Emperor Scorpion - Pandinus imperator
hot and humid rainforests
in the coastal countries of Western Africa, from Senegal to Congo and Gabon
They have an exoskeleton. They molt to grow larger. They are glossy black, but can be dark brown to green. Their stingers and claws can be red in color. They get darker in color the more times they molt.
up to 8 inches long (including tail)
They are timid and reclusive, only coming out to hunt.
5-8 years in captivity, unknown in the wild
arthropods, crickets, other scorpions, and about any animal they can subdue
Couples go through a “courtship dance” where the male grabs the females claws and takes her to a suitable place. He’ll deposit his spermatophore and then position her so her body will pick it up. Gestation in scorpions in general is 6-19 months (emperor scorpions is usually 7-9 months) and there are usually 15-40 young. The young grow in the mother and are born live and climb onto the mothers back. The young are white at first and then turn dark as they molt.
The convention of International Trade lists this species as "Appendix II".
- they rest in burrows and wait for their prey
- smaller scorpions strike with their stinger or grasp their prey
- they do not need to drink water; they get their water from their food
- the sting of most scorpions is only as harmful as a bee sting
- Emperor scorpion populations are currently being monitored because of their disappearance due to the pet trade and habitat destruction.
- They listed as Cites II threatened species
- One of the largest scorpions in the world.
- Body is divided into: the head section covered with a uniform dorsal plate containing a large pair of eyes medially and a few smaller eyes laterally (8 total), the thorax which has 4 segments, each with a pair of legs, and the abdomen of 6 segments which tapers to a single sharp spine at the end with a small opening supplied by 2 venom glands.
- Venom is only used in hunting when the prey is large, usually they kill the prey by tearing and crushing with their claws.
- Emperor scorpions can sometimes be found in family groups (one of the only scorpions to do this). The young can maintain a mother/offspring relationship for several months to several years.
- Scorpions can control the venom flow during a sting
- Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of neurotoxins (toxins which affect the victim’s nervous system) and other substances; each scorpion species has a unique mixture.
- 1500 species in the world. U.S. has about 40 species but only 2 have venom that can be fatal. It is estimated that more people in the U.S. and Mexico are killed by scorpions than by snakes.
- Adult (13 and over)$9.00
- Children (3 - 12)$5.25
- Children (2 and under)Free
- Seniors (65+)$8.00
We begin transferring animals to evening (off exhibit) holding at 4:30 each night.
Open Daily 10:00-5:00
Last admission at 4:30