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Emperor scorpion
"Like most scorpions, the emperor scorpion has a blue-green color under a UV lamp."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
rainforests in West Africa
Food:
insects and small vertebrates
Lifespan:
5 to 8 years
Weight:
28 grams
Number of young:
10 to 12 young
IUCN:
not surveyed
EEP:
no
About the emperor scorpion
The emperor scorpion is one of the largest scorpions in the world, but fortunately not dangerous to humans. When threatened, it prefers to hide rather than attack. It uses its impressive claws primarily to catch prey such as insects and small vertebrates. At the end of its tail is a poisonous spine, but it is rarely used. Females are capable of giving birth to 10 to 12 young after a gestation period of nine months. In captivity, they can live about 5 to 8 years.
Habitat and threats
The emperor scorpion lives in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, especially in countries such as Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. This scorpion species likes warm, humid environments and usually resides in shaded areas, under rocks, tree roots or in abandoned burrows of other species. Its black color makes it barely noticeable in the dark forest floor, providing protection from predators.
Although the emperor scorpion is not currently considered endangered, its habitat is under pressure. Deforestation for agriculture and logging is causing rainforests to shrink. In addition, emperor scorpions are sometimes captured for the international exotic pet trade because they are popular as pets. This combination of factors may eventually affect the survival of the species in the wild.