- Where to see one
- 8 U.S. zoos in our directory hold emperor scorpion, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
- Native range
- West Africa — including Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Togo, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Cameroon
- Size
- Adults average about 7.9 inches (20 cm) long and weigh about 30 g
- Lifespan
- 6 to 8 years in the wild; up to 8 years in captivity
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
No IUCN Red List category cited; listed on CITES Appendix II
About the emperor scorpion
The emperor scorpion is a species of scorpion native to the rainforests and savannas of West Africa, and it is one of the largest scorpions in the world. Its body is black, but like other scorpions it fluoresces a pastel green or blue under ultraviolet light.
Adults average about 20 centimeters (7.9 in) in length and weigh around 30 grams, though a few other forest scorpion species come close to this size; the largest scorpion in the world overall, Gigantometrus swammerdami, reaches 9 inches (23 cm). The emperor scorpion's large pincers are blackish-red with a granular texture, and its front body section, the prosoma, carries four pairs of legs. Behind the last pair of legs sit comb-like structures called pectines, generally longer in males than in females. The long, curved tail, or metasoma, arches back over the body and ends in a bulb housing the venom glands, tipped with a sharp stinger. Fine sensory hairs cover the pincers and tail, letting the scorpion detect prey through vibrations carried through the air and ground. A very sclerotic exoskeleton gives the animal its metallic greenish-black sheen.
Emperor scorpions are often mistaken for species in the related genus Heterometrus, but they are among the most recognizable and widely kept scorpions in the world. When a female is gravid, her body expands enough to expose the pale membranes connecting her body segments, a visible sign of pregnancy in this species.
Behavior and diet
Diet
Insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, especially termites; occasionally rodents and lizards
Despite their size, emperor scorpions are known for docile behavior and an almost harmless sting; most people are not severely affected, though some may be allergic to scorpion venom in general. Adults rarely sting to defend themselves, preferring to use their large pincers to crush and dismember prey, and reserving the sting mainly for the adolescent stage, when juveniles rely on venom to paralyze prey.
In the wild, emperor scorpions eat mostly insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, with termites making up a large share of the diet; they will also take larger prey such as rodents and lizards on occasion. To reach termite colonies, they can burrow through mounds up to 6 feet deep. Once prey is caught, the claws tear it apart while the tail stinger injects venom that helps liquefy the food for feeding. In captivity, they feed readily on crickets and worms.
Several distinct ion-channel toxins have been isolated from emperor scorpion venom, including compounds named Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4 and Pi7.
Range and habitat
Habitat
Rainforest and savanna
The emperor scorpion is native to West Africa, with populations recorded in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Togo, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Cameroon. It occupies both tropical rainforest and open savanna within this range.
The species spends much of its time hidden from view: it burrows beneath the soil, shelters under rocks and debris, and frequently digs into termite mounds, both for cover and to reach prey.
Conservation status
No IUCN Red List category is cited for the emperor scorpion. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES, which places international trade in the species under regulation.
That listing exists because of the pet trade. The emperor scorpion's docile nature, large size and hardiness made it one of the most popular scorpions kept as pets, and collection from the wild for that trade grew heavy enough to prompt CITES protection.
Where to see emperor scorpion in the U.S.
8 zoos across 7 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 7 zoos holding emperor scorpion by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
1 more zoo holds emperor scorpion but has no coordinates on file yet, so it isn't ranked here. It's in the full list below.
Alabama· 1
California· 1
Kentucky· 1
Massachusetts· 2
Ohio· 1
Oregon· 1
Virginia· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
Emperor Scorpion: common questions
Is the emperor scorpion endangered?
No IUCN Red List category is cited for it, but it is listed on CITES Appendix II because of over-collection for the pet trade.
How big does an emperor scorpion get?
Adults average about 7.9 inches (20 cm) in length and weigh roughly 30 grams, making it one of the largest scorpion species.
What does an emperor scorpion eat?
Mostly insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, especially termites, with occasional rodents and lizards.
How long do emperor scorpions live?
Around 6 to 8 years in the wild, and up to 8 years in captivity.
Which U.S. zoos have emperor scorpions?
Seven U.S. zoos list one, including the Oakland Zoo, Oregon Zoo and Virginia Zoological Park.
Is an emperor scorpion's sting dangerous?
No, not usually. Its sting is typically mild, similar to a bee sting, though some people may be allergic.
