Emperor Scorpion

(Pandinus imperator)

Meet one of the largest scorpion species in the world, the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator). Mine is an adult female. These scorpions are native to the rainforests of Western Africa. On average, these scorpions can live for about 7 years. With massive pincers (pedipalps), these scorpions are able to take down a wide range of prey items of all sizes. Feeding mostly on insects, these scorpions can also tackle small vertebrates such as mice and small reptiles as well! Rarely ever using their venomous sting to kill prey, these scorpions usually rely on crushing their victims to death with their rather large pedipalps (pincers)!