© Wikimedia Commons user Stahlkocher / CC BY-SA 3.0Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion
Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion is a small scorpion species, reaching a total length of around 5cm as an adult. Also known as the Yellow Forest Scorpion, it's best known for excavating intricate tunnel systems underground, and it often disappears at the bottom of its burrow for days at a time — so this isn't a species you'll see moving around constantly. Its nervous temperament and tendency toward cannibalism mean it must always be housed alone, never with tankmates. For keepers who enjoy observing burrowing behavior and tunnel architecture rather than constant activity, it makes for a rewarding, patience-testing animal best suited to those with some prior invertebrate-keeping experience.
View Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion encyclopedia →Breeder Wanted!
List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!
BreederDirect's 5 Transparency Commitments
When listing Exotic Invertebrates, Breeders disclose the following. We guarantee transparency on growth stage and breeding unit.
- Real Photos
- Breeding Unit
- Generation Info
- Body Length (mm)
- Country of Origin
Browse all 286 breeds
No listings match your filters
Adjust your filters, or get notified when new listings arrive.
Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.
Browse other categories
Verified breeders (preview)
Are you raising exotic invertebrates?
Register as a breeder and connect with buyers directly.
Apply as a breederBoehm's Burrowing Scorpion key facts
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years
- Size
- About 5cm total length
- Diet
- Live insects such as crickets
- Temperature & Humidity
- It lives in woodland in southern Africa. Keep only the lower substrate damp and the surface dry.
- Enclosure
- It digs intricate tunnels, so use deep substrate. It may stay buried for days; do not dig it up to check on it.
- Diet & Feeding
- Offer live insects such as crickets. It may not feed while buried, so remove uneaten prey.
- Temperament & Venom
- Nervous and quick to display defensively. The venom is usually considered low in toxicity, but the sting is quite painful.
- Notes
- Fights and cannibalism are frequent when animals are kept together, so always house them singly.
About Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion
Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion is a small species reaching about 5cm, known for digging intricate underground tunnels. Nervous and cannibalistic, it must be kept alone — a species best suited to intermediate keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion
1A Natural Burrower
Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion digs intricate tunnel systems underground, and this burrowing instinct defines how it's kept. Rather than watching it roam the surface, keepers mostly observe the tunnel network itself, so a substrate deep enough to burrow into is essential.
2Can Vanish for Days
It's common for this scorpion to stay at the bottom of its burrow for several days without appearing. This isn't necessarily a sign of illness — it's normal behavior for the species. Provide a calm, undisturbed setup rather than digging up the substrate to check on it.
3Solitary Housing Only
Because of its nervous temperament and tendency toward cannibalism, multiple individuals cannot share an enclosure. One scorpion per enclosure is a firm rule, not a guideline.
4Substrate Depth & Humidity
A deep, structurally stable substrate is needed to support tunnel digging. If it dries out too much, tunnels can collapse, so monitor moisture levels regularly and maintain conditions suited to the species.
5Intermediate Difficulty
This species is generally recommended for keepers with some prior experience with scorpions or other invertebrates, rather than complete beginners. Understanding its behavior patterns and substrate care before bringing one home will help set realistic expectations.
6Match Your Viewing Style
This is not an animal that stays visible and active — it spends much of its time hidden in its burrow. Before bringing one home, consider whether this quieter, more patient style of observation suits what you're looking for.
7Avoid Handling
Given its nervous disposition, this scorpion should not be handled or unnecessarily disturbed. Observe it through the enclosure glass, and keep any maintenance work quick and calm to minimize stress.
Frequently asked questions about Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion
- Q.What kind of temperament does it have?
- A.It has a nervous temperament and a tendency toward cannibalism. Because of this, it cannot be kept with other individuals and must always be housed one per enclosure.
- Q.How big does it get?
- A.Adults reach a total length of around 5cm, making this a small scorpion species. Since it lives by digging tunnels, having enough substrate depth matters more for its care than its actual body size.
- Q.What does it typically do day to day?
- A.It spends much of its time deep in the tunnels it digs, and it's not unusual for it to stay out of sight for several days at a stretch. This isn't a species that's active and visible on the surface, so it suits keepers who enjoy a quieter style of observation.
- Q.Can multiple scorpions be kept together?
- A.No. Its nervous temperament and cannibalistic tendencies mean it must always be kept one per enclosure. Housing multiple individuals together risks cannibalism.
- Q.Is this species suitable for beginners?
- A.It's generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers rather than complete beginners. Prior experience with scorpions or other invertebrates helps, since understanding its burrowing behavior and substrate needs is important before bringing one home.
Learn more about Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion in the encyclopedia
View Boehm's Burrowing Scorpion encyclopedia entry →
Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
More in this category
Can't find the one you're looking for?
Post your wishes for free and breeders with matching animals will contact you with introductions.