The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Crickets, Dubia roaches, occasional pinky (rarely), superworm · 2-4 large prey weekly to biweekly; adults eat sparingly
Temperature
26-30°C
Humidity
75-90%
Identity
Order / Family
Scorpiones
IUCN / CITES
CITES Appendix II (whole genus Pandinus); IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common import; iconic large scorpion
Adult size
15-20 cm — one of the largest scorpions
Lifespan
6-8 years, sometimes to 10+
Growth rate
Slow-medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal humid-forest burrower
Temperament
Docile, calm; rarely stings
Venom / defense
LOW venom (mild); powerful pincers. Docile but a pincher — not dangerous
Price (THB)
800-2,000 (imported, CITES II paperwork)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30°C
Humidity
75-90%
Min. enclosure
40x30x30 cm (~38 L) for one adult
Substrate
10-15 cm moist coco/peat/topsoil, deep to burrow
Hides / decor / water
Large cork hide, sphagnum, big shallow water dish
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, Dubia roaches, occasional pinky (rarely), superworm
Feeding frequency
2-4 large prey weekly to biweekly; adults eat sparingly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Discouraged but not dangerous; among calmest — still a pinch/rare sting risk. Observe
Communal
One of the most communal scorpions; colonies work with space, hides & heavy feeding
Defense / stress signs
Pincers raised, stridulation, tail flick, burrow retreat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Viviparous; 9-32 scorplings carried on mother's back ~2 weeks to first molt; maternal care
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration/mycosis if dirty-wet; mismolt; obesity from overfeeding
Red flags / quarantine
SignsReject sluggish, sunken specimens; confirm legal CITES import; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Only scorpion genus on CITES (Appendix II); glows blue-green under UV
Others in this group
Malayan / 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 longimanusTanzanian red-claw scorpionPandinurus cavimanus (ex Pandinus)