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The emperor scorpion, Pandinus imperator, is a species of scorpion native to rainforests and savannas in West Africa. It is one of the largest scorpions in the world and lives for 6–8 years. Its body is black, but like other scorpions it glows pastel green or blue under ultraviolet light.
- P. imperator
- Pandinus
- They’re one of the largest species of scorpion. At least, by modern standards. The largest scorpion we know of, over the entirety of their 437-million-year existence, was the 3-foot-long Brontoscorpio that lived around 415 million years ago.
- Emperor scorpions are social. Unlike many scorpion species, emperors are social animals. And unlike many emperors, they’re monogamous, too! These scorpions will live in small communal groups and seem to tolerate each other better than any other species.
- They’re not dangerous. There are very few scorpions amid the 2,000+ species on Earth that pose a significant threat to people. From 1.5 million envenomations being reported each year, only 2,000 – 3,000 deaths are recorded worldwide.
- They’re good for you. Not only are these animals great pest control, but their venom might be medically significant in a good way. Along with countless other species of venomous arthropods, the emperor scorpion is being studied for its potential use in antimicrobial medicine.
The emperor scorpion, Pandinus imperator, is a species of scorpion native to rainforests and savannas in West Africa. It is one of the largest scorpions in the world and lives for 6–8 years. Its body is black, but like other scorpions it glows pastel green or blue under ultraviolet light.
Emperor scorpions are one of the largest species of scorpions in the world, measuring an average of 20 cm in length. They also tend to be heavier than other scorpions, and pregnant females can weigh more than 28 g.
Learn how to identify the emperor scorpion, one of the largest and least aggressive scorpion species in the world. Find out where they live, what they eat, and how to treat and prevent their mild venomous stings.
- Alyssa Anderson
Learn about the emperor scorpion, the largest and most colorful of its kind, at Zoo New England. Find out how they use their pincers, stingers, and pectines to survive in the wild.
