Scorpion Species Guide
Commonly kept scorpions fall into two broad ecological groups: tropical forest species and desert/semi-arid species. These groups have fundamentally different setup requirements. Choose your species first, then build the enclosure around it.
Not sure which species is right for you? See Which Scorpion Is Right for You? or the Scorpion Care Guide for shared husbandry principles.
Keep Your Records Organized
Keeping scorpions? The Scorpion Keeper & Brood Planner gives you printable pages for molt records, feeding logs, enclosure setup, sexing notes, pairing records, gestation observations, brood tracking, scorpling grow-out, and more — everything in one place. Scorpion Keeper & Brood Planner — $3.99 → | Want everything? Complete Scorpion Bundle — $9.99 →
Free tools: Molt Tracker | Feeding Log | Health Observation Log
Tropical Forest Scorpions
High humidity, deep moisture-retentive substrate (coconut fiber or coco-based mix), warm temperatures. Primarily display animals. Some species more tolerant of disturbance than others.
Emperor Scorpion — Pandinus imperator
One of the best-known scorpions in the hobby and the most commonly recommended beginner species. Large, impressive, and more tolerant of disturbance than most other scorpions. Requires deep coconut fiber substrate and high humidity.
Asian Forest Scorpion — Heterometrus spp.
Large, widely available tropical forest scorpion frequently compared to the Emperor. Similar care requirements but generally more defensive. Multiple species sold under this common name. A strong display animal for keepers who want a large tropical scorpion.
Dictator Scorpion — Pandinus dictator
A large Pandinus species closely related to the Emperor with broadly similar care requirements. Less commonly available and capable of reaching a very large adult size. Better sourced through specialist breeders.
Tanzanian Red-Clawed Scorpion — Pandinus cavimanus
A tropical forest scorpion from East Africa recognizable by its distinctive reddish-orange claws. Related to the Emperor with broadly similar care. Can be defensive; best treated as a display animal. Less commonly available than Emperor or Asian Forest.
Malaysian Black Scorpion — Heterometrus spinifer and related species
A large, glossy black Heterometrus species from Southeast Asia with care requirements similar to the Asian Forest Scorpion. Defensive and fast-moving; best treated as a display animal. Multiple species may be sold under this common name.
Javanese Jungle Scorpion — Heterometrus javanensis and related species
A Southeast Asian Heterometrus species from Java and surrounding regions. Care requirements broadly similar to the Asian Forest Scorpion. Less commonly available; more likely found through specialist breeders.
Desert & Semi-Arid Scorpions
Low humidity, dry or sandy substrate, thermal gradient required. Fundamentally different setup from tropical forest species.
Desert Hairy Scorpion — Hadrurus arizonensis
The largest scorpion native to North America and the most commonly kept desert species in the hobby. Requires dry sandy substrate, low humidity, and a warm-side thermal gradient. Long-lived. A good choice for keepers who want an arid setup or ecological variety alongside tropical species.
Large-Clawed Scorpion — Scorpio maurus
A smaller North African and Middle Eastern species from arid to semi-arid environments. Requires sandy substrate with a deeper moisture gradient. Smaller than most other commonly kept scorpions. A good choice for experienced keepers interested in Old World scorpion diversity.
Scorpion Resources
- Scorpion Care Guide — shared husbandry principles for all species
- Which Scorpion Is Right for You? — species selector by keeper type
- Complete Scorpion Setup Checklist — everything you need before your scorpion arrives
- Scorpion Enclosure Size Guide
- Best Scorpions for Beginners
- Emperor vs Asian Forest Scorpion
Track Your Scorpions & Broods — Keeper Planner $3.99 → | Complete Scorpion Bundle — $9.99 →
Free tools: Molt Tracker | Feeding Log | Health Observation Log