by Danelle Karth

Created on: September 07, 2010

Emperor scorpions are becoming more and more popular. They are large and easy to see, docile, and not very dangerous. Yet they are cool to watch and they are exciting to show off. Many times they are sold in small plastic containers with a little drift wood and a bit of sand, however this isn't a proper home from them and they really do need more space than that.

Tank.

The best option for your emperor scorpion is a 10 gallon tank for one scorpion. A group of scorpions should be kept in a 20 to 30 gallon tank. A long tank rather than a tall one will be the best option. A glass tank offers the best option, but you will want to make sure that it has a very secure mesh lid so that the scorpion won't get out and wander around your house.

Substrate.

You will then want to choose a substrate. You have several options including soil, peat, and vermicile. It's best to have three to six inches worth of substrate so that the scorpion can dig, burrow, and hide.

Hiding spots.

You will want to make sure that you also provide other decorations that can be used as hiding spots. These things can include a wide variety of stones and rocks, drift wood, bark, sticks, and plants. It is likely that the scorpions will rearrange their tank so don't worry too much about working up the perfect design.

Temperature.

Emperor scorpions need a warm spot in their cage and a cooler spot so they can move around and adjust their temperature. It is best to place a heat mat below about 1/3 of the habitat to offer the correct heat range. You should never use lamps to heat the cage. The scorpions are nocturnal and could be harmed in the light.

Humidity.

It is important for the tank to be kept moist. This is usually done by daily misting. You want to make sure that the humidity at about 80%. To do this you will want to moisten the substrate, but don't make it wet. If mold develops or the inside of the habitat builds up a layer of condensation then it is too humid.

Having the perfect habitat will make a huge difference in the health of your emperor scorpion. This includes a nice size space that isn't too big. It should include a good substrate that is deep enough for the scorpion to burrow in. It should include hiding spots and thinks to climb on and under. However, you also want to make sure that there is enough open space for them to burrow under the substrate. You will want to make sure that you heat the habitat, but do so in a way that there is a warm side and a cool side. Finally, make sure that you keep a high humidity without growing mold. Doing these things will let you provide the perfect habitat for your emperor scorpion.

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