Invertebrates · Pandinus imperator
Emperor scorpion enclosure & care
Emperor scorpions need at least a 20 × 10 × 12 in enclosure and a steady 78–82°F. They live 5–8 years, and a complete setup costs $140–$294.
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Adult size
- 6-8 in (15-20 cm)
- Smallest enclosure
- 20×10×12 in
- Diet
- Crickets or roaches every week
- Handling
- Hands-off: best watched
- First year
- $200–$414
What do emperor scorpions eat?
Feed adults 3-4 crickets or 1-2 dubia roaches every 7-10 days, and juveniles a little more often. Remove uneaten live prey within 24 hours, and skip feeding while the scorpion is preparing to molt.
Food per year: $45–$90
Emperor scorpion temperature & humidity
Warm side
78–82°F
Cool side
72–76°F
- Night
- 70–75°F
- Humidity
- 70–80%
Keep the lower layer of substrate damp and the surface a little drier; damp, not swampy. If you need a heat mat, stick it on the side of the tank, never underneath, because scorpions burrow down to cool off.
Emperor scorpion enclosure size
20 × 10 × 12 in (1.7 × 0.8 × 1 ft) for an adult. Glass terrarium or aquarium with a secure, partly covered lid, horizontal layout.
Juveniles should be kept in small plastic keeper tubs to make finding prey and maintaining high humidity easier.
House one per enclosure. Groups sometimes work in large tanks with many hides, but cannibalism happens, especially around molts.
Lighting & heat
UVB: not required
Heat: Usually just a warm room. If the room stays below about 75°F, add a small heat mat on the side of the tank, on a thermostat.
Day length: 12 on / 12 off
Substrate
Good choices: coconut coir; pesticide-free organic topsoil; coir and topsoil mix; a patch of damp sphagnum moss.
Avoid: cedar shavings; pine shavings; pure silica sand; reptile carpet; calcium sand.
What an emperor scorpion needs
Everything for a complete adult setup. Essentials are ticked; untick anything you already have.
How much is an emperor scorpion?
- The emperor scorpion itselfMost emperor scorpions in US stores are wild-caught imports; captive-bred scorplings cost less, and large adults from specialty dealers cost more.
- $35–$100
- Setup, essentials
- $140–$294
- Every year after
- $60–$120
- First year, setup plus supplies
- $200–$414
What you keep buying, per year
| Live feeder insectsAdult scorpions require live, gut-loaded insects like crickets or dubia roaches for essential nutrients. | weekly | $30–$60 |
| Feeder insect food and hydration gelGut-loading live feeders with nutritious food and hydration ensures health benefits pass to the scorpion. | monthly | $15–$30 |
| Coconut coir substrateReplacing burrowing substrate prevents mold growth and maintains a clean, humid environment. | every 3-6 months | $15–$30 |
Typical US prices. Vet care isn't included: budget for a check-up with an exotics vet after your pet comes home, and keep an emergency fund.
Are emperor scorpions good pets?
Yes, and a good first pet.
Emperor scorpions live 5–8 years, need about 2–5 minutes of care a day and cost $60–$120 a year in supplies. They are animals to watch, not hold.
- Handling
- Hands-off: best watched
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Daily care
- 2–5 min
- Lives
- 5–8 years
- Before you buy
- Legal in most of the US. Emperor scorpions are on CITES Appendix II and most sold here are wild-caught imports from West Africa, so buy from a reputable dealer. Some cities and counties restrict venomous animals; check local rules.
Before your emperor scorpion comes home
- 01
1-2 weeks before
Assemble enclosure and add deep substrate
Allows time for the substrate to settle and form stable conditions for burrowing.
- 02
48 hours before
Turn on heat mat and establish humidity levels
Testing thermal gradients and humidity without the animal prevents lethal overheating or desiccation.
- 03
Day one
Transfer scorpion gently and secure the lid
Minimizes initial transfer stress while ensuring the animal cannot escape.
- 04
First two weeks
Leave the scorpion undisturbed except for essential maintenance
Acclimation to a new environment is extremely stressful and handling can cause anorexia or aggression.
- 05
First month
Offer food every 7-10 days and keep a simple log of meals and molts
A log shows you when a refusal is a normal pre-molt fast and when something is wrong. Few vets treat scorpions, so find one that sees invertebrates before you need it.
Common setup mistakes
- Placing heat pads on the bottom of the tank, which can burn scorpions when they dig down to cool off
- Letting the substrate dry out, which leads to dehydration and bad molts.
- Allowing live prey insects to remain in the tank indefinitely during molting periods
- Handling the scorpion frequently, which causes severe stress to the animal
- Skimping on substrate depth; they need at least 5-6 inches to burrow.
Questions people ask
What size tank does an Emperor Scorpion need?
One adult needs at least a 10-gallon tank (about 20 x 10 x 12 inches), deep enough for 5-6 inches of substrate with room above it. A 20-gallon long is better.
What temperatures and humidity do Emperor Scorpions need?
Keep the warm side at 78-82°F, the rest of the tank in the low-to-mid 70s, and humidity at 70-80%. If you need extra heat, use a heat mat on the side of the tank, on a thermostat.
How much does it cost to set up an Emperor Scorpion tank?
Expect to spend about $140-$294 on the essentials: a 10-gallon tank, side heat mat and thermostat, gauges, deep substrate, hides, a water dish, a mister and tongs.
Sources
The numbers on this page come from these care sheets and references, checked October 2026. How we make these guides.