The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Crickets, Dubia roaches, superworm · 2-4 items weekly to biweekly
Temperature
26-30°C
Humidity
75-90%
Identity
Order / Family
Scorpiones
IUCN / CITES
CITES Appendix II (genus Pandinus); IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Uncommon premium import (even larger than emperor)
Adult size
18-21 cm — among the very largest scorpions
Lifespan
6-10 years
Growth rate
Slow-medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal humid-forest burrower
Temperament
Docile-defensive; calm like emperor
Venom / defense
LOW venom (mild); massive pincers. Docile but a pincher — not dangerous
Price (THB)
1,500-3,500 (imported, CITES II)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30°C
Humidity
75-90%
Min. enclosure
45x30x30 cm for one adult
Substrate
12-15 cm moist coco/peat/topsoil
Hides / decor / water
Large cork hide, sphagnum, water dish
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, Dubia roaches, superworm
Feeding frequency
2-4 items weekly to biweekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Discouraged but not dangerous; pinch/rare sting risk
Communal
Communal-tolerant like emperor with space & food
Defense / stress signs
Raised pincers, stridulation, retreat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Viviparous; young ride mother's back to first molt
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, mycosis, mismolt
Red flags / quarantine
SignsConfirm CITES paperwork; QT wild-caught; hydration check
Good to know
- Frequently confused with emperor; often the largest scorpion in a collection
Others in this group
Emperor scorpionPandinus imperatorMalayan / Asian forest scorpionHeterometrus spiniferDesert hairy scorpionHadrurus arizonensisLaotian / Vietnamese giant forest scorpionHeterometrus laoticusDeathstalkerLeiurus quinquestriatusYellow fat-tailed scorpion (australis)Androctonus australisArizona bark scorpionCentruroides sculpturatusGiant forest scorpion (longimanus)Heterometrus longimanus