Emperor Scorpion Pandinus emperator Class: Arachnida Order: Scorpiones Family: Scorpionidae Characteristics: The largest scorpion - up to 8 inches long. Sexually dimorphic in size - male usually about 6 inches long. Beautiful shiny dark color with two huge pedipalps (pincers) in the front, four legs and long tail ending in stinger. Juvenile looks like adult but is white in color. Has longer tail, larger abdomen and wider pinchers than other species. Color changes with the habitat. Poor eyesight but other senses are well developed. Cannot consume food in solid state. Powerful venom allows for liquefaction and consuming only the inside of Range & Habitat: prey. Ectothermic. Rain forests and Savannas of West Africa. Behavior: Although they tend to live communally and are social animals, they are the most timid of all scorpions and non-aggressive except for female after birth. Will flee rather than fight unless cornered. Burrow beneath the soil, often in termite mounds, and hide in debris. Will molt multiple times before becoming adults. Mostly nocturnal. Adult kills prey by tearing apart with powerful pincers whereas juvenile depends on stinger. Females may eat mates and their young. Males may consume each other. Reproduction: Monogomous. Breed throughout the year conducting elaborate mating rituals. After a nine month or more gestation period, female gives live Lifespan: birth to 10-12 Scorplings which reach sexual maturity by 4 years of age. Born 5-8 years in captivity defenseless, Scorplings rely on mother for food and protection and are carried on her back until old enough to be on their own. Female will run them off by Special Adaptations: Body moving them with her tail or rolling on her side to tip them off her back when hairs and pectines (sensory they are ready to care for themselves. Those that linger will be eaten. structures) to detect surrounding environment Diet: and prey. Wild: Insects, arthropods, small vertebrates. Commonly eat termites. May eat heavily and store up large quantities of food. IUCN Conservation Status: Zoo: Crickets Not Evaluated. Conservation: Threatened by over-collection for the pet trade and by continuing destruction of its habitat through deforestation. Relatively small CITES Appendix II: Should be litter sizes may mean populations take a long time to recover from any losses. carefully monitored and Added to Appendix II of CITIES meaning species should be careful monitored controlled. and controlled. There is an increasing preference for captive-bred specimens in the pet trade which may help to prevent decline. FYI: Predators include birds, bats, mammals and spiders. The sting is generally mild and, although painful, is not fatal to human beings. Commonly used in movies and, in many cultures, for making medicine. .