Fun Emperor Scorpion Facts For Kids
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Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is famous for being one of the largest scorpions in the world. They are mainly found in the eastern region of West Africa, in the jungles of Congo, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.
They prefer a warm climate like any other scorpion and are mostly fond of termites as their prey, along with other insects and invertebrates. Although their sting is quite painful, they do not have a venomous stinger. These scorpions are usually harmless and their venom is also mild even though they look vicious.
These nocturnal animals have a glossy dark blue or black-colored body that glows under ultraviolet light. They have two massive pincers that act like claws along with four wings, and a long tail.
There is a red-colored stinger at the end of their tail with which they attack but they only do it if they feel threatened in some way. The sensory system that they possess helps them to detect their prey.
They survive for five to eight years if they are kept in captivity. Read on to know more emperor scorpion basic facts like these.
If you like reading the facts about the emperor scorpion, you will also like brown widow and vinegaroon.
Emperor Scorpion Interesting Facts
What type of animal is an emperor scorpion?
The emperor scorpion is a type of scorpion.
What class of animal does an emperor scorpion belong to?
This animal belongs to the class of Arachnida. It is considered to be one of the largest scorpions in the world.
How many emperor scorpion are there in the world?
The exact population of emperor scorpions is not known. The only information we have about the population is that they are not a threatened species because they are a part of the list in Appendix II. The species that are under the particular list are known to be not endangered in any way.
Where does an emperor scorpion live?
Emperor scorpions are social animals who can only be found in the forest of West Africa in Congo, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.
What is an emperor scorpion's habitat?
The habitat of this animal is mainly West African forests near the human habitat. Their main shelter is a burrow, leaf litter, or mold of termites. They can thrive well in a tropical and humid climate.
Who do emperor scorpions live with?
Emperor scorpions are social animals and are known to live in colonies. The colonies can consist of at least 15 scorpions.
How long does an emperor scorpion live?
An emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is known to live for about five to eight years if they are kept in captivity. Though, they live for a shorter amount of time when they're living in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
The mating season of the species varies a lot. The mating process begins with the male laying a spermatophore and then placing the female over it. On a few occasions, the female is known to consume the male after mating and that is why some of them are considered cannibals.
After this, the gestation period lasts for nine months or more. The female then gives birth to 10-12 young ones.
Generally, females become more hostile after giving birth. The newborn scorpion babies are quite vulnerable and depend on their mother for both food and security because they are not strong enough to fend for themselves.
The mother carries her babies on her back until they reach the age of independence and until she is assured that they can take care of themselves.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the emperor scorpion is Not Listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, but the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has listed emperor scorpion in Appendix II. This means that they are not endangered, but the trade of this species is restricted.
This is mainly to protect these scorpions from risk and discourage humans from abusing them, like buying them as pets or using them illegally for medical research.
Emperor Scorpion Fun Facts
What do emperor scorpions look like?
Emperor scorpions look vicious but are actually quite a timid species. These scorpions mainly have a dark blue or glossy black-colored body with two massive pincers that act like claws.
They have four wings and a long tail. Male scorpions have larger claws than females and both have a red-colored stinger at the end of their tails which does not have poisonous venom. Adults are usually dark blue or black in color and glow under ultraviolet light.
The young are born with a transparent color but they undergo a skin change process and then they get their final color and become adults. This process is known as molt.
How cute are they?
They are considered to be cute if you are interested in arachnids. They are quite easy to maintain, they are harmless, and are not aggressive at all. Although, they are quite scary looking, too.
How do they communicate?
These scorpions do not have well-functioning eyesight but have an excellent sensory system with the help of which they can detect their prey very easily.
How big is an emperor scorpion?
This species is considered to be one of the largest scorpions with a size of 7.9 in (20 cm), almost 2 in (5 cm) bigger than a common lizard which is 5.9 in (15 cm).
How fast can emperor scorpions move?
Like other scorpions, these animals also move pretty fast and can catch their prey with their tails at a lightning speed. Although, the exact speed is not yet known.
How much does an emperor scorpion weigh?
Scorpions who are adults usually weigh about 1 oz (28 g) but pregnant females weigh more.
What are their male and female names of the species?
Male and female scorpions do not have any specified names.
What would you call a baby emperor scorpion?
Young emperor scorpions are sometimes known as scorplings.
What do they eat?
These species are nocturnal and usually prey on insects, arthropods, and small vertebrates. The main part of their diet consists of termites but occasionally they also prey on animals that are smaller or equal to the size of their body like lizards.
They attack their prey with their claws and rip them apart. However, the young of the species use their stingers to catch their prey.
Are they harmful?
Even though emperor scorpions have a vicious look, they are quite timid and not at all deadly in reality. They will sting only if they feel threatened, and they do it only as a last resort. Even though their sting is painful, it is not that fatal to human beings.
Would they make a good pet?
This species is considered to be an exotic pet and are quite easy to maintain but if you live in the United States, then you have to derive special permission to pet them since they fall under Appendix II by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Did you know...
A useful formula has been extracted from the venom of these animals which has been proved to have a remarkable impact on curing malaria.
The predators that eat emperor scorpions are birds, other scorpions, big spiders, centipedes, and small mammals.
Emperor scorpions can grow at a very fast rate. When they are 2.5 years old, they get about 4.5 in (10 cm) in size. It takes them just two more years to grow 2 in (5 cm) more in size, resulting in them being 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm) in terms of length.
The Emperor Scorpion Stinger
At the end of the tails of the emperor scorpion, they have a red-colored stinger. They don't sting unless they feel threatened by someone. Their sting is not at all venomous but it can be quite painful and it is unlikely to kill a human being.
Getting Your Own Emperor Scorpion
If you are interested to buy an emperor scorpion, you can visit an exotic pet store that sells reptiles and arachnids. The cost of an emperor scorpion is $25-100.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including giant centipede, or grass spider.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Emperor scorpion coloring pages.
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Sources
https://www.thesprucepets.com/emperor-scorpions-1237304
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pandinus_imperator/
https://www.hoglezoo.org/meet_our_animals/animal_finder/emperor_scorpion/
https://www.scorpionworlds.com/emperor-scorpion/
https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/arthropods/emperor-scorpion/
https://www.orkin.com/stinging-pests/scorpions/emperor-scorpions
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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