Scorpions are hardy creatures with stinging tails. Although domestic ones are uncommon, scorpions are rapidly gaining popularity. They are low-maintenance, hardy creatures that like to keep to themselves and are not cuddly pets. Experts advise not to handle scorpions because they have hefty pincers and stings. If you’re interested in keeping one of these fascinating, nocturnal arachnids, delve into the list below of the eight scorpions that make good pets.
1. Asian Forest Scorpion: Social, Hardy, and Adaptable
Size: 4 – 6 inches
Lifespan: 8 years
Aggression Level: Medium
Care Level: Intermediate
Kicking off our list of scorpions that make good pets is the Asian Forest Scorpion. This stocky, dark brown to black scorpion is fairly aggressive with a painful sting, so it is not suitable for beginners. The Asian Forest scorpion is a hardy, adaptable creature and likes to rip its food up with its strong claws. It enjoys burrowing and hiding and needs a moist environment. This scorpion is sociable, and you can keep several together if you can provide plenty of space for them.
Some scorpions are dangerous with deadly stings, but the ones on this list have mild venom and usually don’t hurt more than a bee sting. In some cases, however, people may react strongly to scorpion stings, similar to anaphylactic shock with bee stings. Scorpions hate being handled, so as a precaution, you should always use foam-tipped forceps to handle scorpions.
2. Desert Hairy Scorpions Suit Experienced Insect Owners
Size: 5 – 6 inches
Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
Aggression Level: Medium
Care Level: Experienced
The next entry on our list is the Desert Hairy Scorpion, from the American Southwest. This is a distinctive creature with a brown to green body, which is darker on the back. Its claws, tail, and stinger are yellow and hairy. They need a desert-like environment and high humidity, which is challenging to replicate.
These scorpions are skittish and active during the night; they are also defensive when they live in captivity. The Desert Hairy Scorpion has a painful sting so isn’t suitable for beginner pet insect keepers. They’re fairly easy to care for but setting up their habitat can be difficult. Females live substantially longer than males, and these creatures aren’t sociable, they must live alone. You should only keep one desert hairy scorpion in a vivarium or terrarium.
3. Dictator Scorpions Love Hiding and Burrowing
Size: 8 inches
Lifespan: 6 – 8 years
Aggression Level: Low
Care Level: Beginner
The Dictator Scorpion is a substantial dark brown to black scorpion (and is incredibly similar to our next entry, the Emperor Scorpion). It has wide, powerful pincers, mild venom, and is incredibly docile, making it an excellent beginners’ choice. Yet, they can be hard to source.
Dictator Scorpions are usually shy around people but may nip with their pincers if they feel threatened. They thrive in a tropical environment and love hiding and burrowing, so they need deep substrate and hiding places. Dictators are sociable, and you can keep a group if you have ample space, but don’t include too many males because they will fight.
4. Emperor Scorpions Glow Under Blacklights
Size: 6 – 8 inches
Lifespan: 10 years
Aggression Level: Low
Care Level: Beginner
The Emperor Scorpion is the next entry on our list of scorpions that make good pets. Emperors are the most popular pet scorpion – and the best choice for beginners. They are huge, shiny creatures with blue to black bodies and glow a vivid green/blue color under UV backlights. Emperors are one of the largest species but aren’t aggressive and rarely sting. They are generally docile but deliver a painful pinch with their substantial pincers if they feel threatened. Like most scorpions, the Emperor loves to eat live insects.
5. Javanese Jungle Scorpion Enjoy Small Groups
Size: 4 – 7 inches
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aggression Level: High
Care Level: Experienced
The Javanese Jungle Scorpion is closely related to the Asian Forest scorpion and has similar care needs. They are aggressive, with a painful sting and strong claws, so even though they are readily available, they aren’t a good choice for beginners. Javanese Jungle Scorpions are sociable; you can keep them in small groups in a substantial space. Note that even sociable scorpions will fight if they are overcrowded.
6. Large Clawed Scorpions Rarely Sting
Size: 3 inches
Lifespan: 4 years
Aggression Level: Medium
Care Level: Intermediate
The Large Clawed Scorpion is a distinctive creature that comes from North Africa and the Middle East. They enjoy a humid, desert habitat and a Mediterranean climate. Large Clawed Scorpions come in many shades of yellow, brown, and olive green and have a painful sting. The good news is that they rarely use their stinger, but they will pinch.
The Large Clawed Scorpion is hardy and adaptable and among the smallest scorpion species. The males are noticeably smaller than females, and these arachnids aren’t sociable, so you must keep them alone.
7. Malaysian Black Scorpions Love Tropical Climates
Size: 4 – 5 inches
Lifespan: 7 – 8 years
Aggression Level: High
Care Level: Intermediate
Malaysian Black Scorpions are impressive creatures with huge black bodies and substantial claws. They aren’t very common, and beginners should avoid them because they are aggressive and have a nasty sting, which can cause swelling. Luckily, Malaysian Black Scorpions will usually pinch rather than sting if they feel threatened.
Malaysian Black Scorpions come from rainforests and need a tropical environment high in heat and humidity. They are hardy creatures that like to burrow and are generally inactive and reclusive.
8. Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpions Must Live Alone
Size: 4 – 5 inches
Lifespan: 8 years
Aggression Level: High
Care Level: Experienced
The Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion is the final entry on our list, and you can easily recognize it with its flattened black body and red hues on its large claws. It is closely related to the Emperor Scorpion but is smaller and more aggressive – these little guys are more likely to sting their owner. Luckily, their sting isn’t agonizing, but beginners should avoid them.
Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpions are aggressive to other scorpions, and you must keep them alone. They love a humid rainforest habitat and enjoy burrowing, so they need deep substrate. In addition to eating insects, the Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion will even eat live mice.
