Is the Dictator Scorpion dangerous?

Its sting is mild, but its powerful pincers can cause a painful pinch if handled carelessly. Using gloves and handling it cautiously is recommended.

Can beginners keep this species?

This species is rated as suitable for experienced keepers. If you're not yet comfortable managing humidity and temperature, it's best to build up some keeping experience first.

It's not visible during the day — is that normal?

Yes, it's nocturnal and normally hides in its shelter or the substrate during the day. You can observe it becoming active at night.

Can it be housed with other individuals?

It's territorial and carries a risk of cannibalism, so keeping it solo is generally recommended. If housing multiple individuals, use separate enclosures.

Is it subject to CITES import restrictions?

Dictator Scorpion is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

© Monod L, Duperre N, Harms D (2019) An annotated catalogue of the scorpion types (Arachnida, Scorpiones) held in the Zoological Museum Hamburg. Part I. Evolutionary Systematics 3(2): 109-200. / CC BY 4.0

Dictator Scorpion

The Dictator Scorpion is a striking, glossy black scorpion native to the tropical forests of West-Central Africa. A close relative of the Emperor Scorpion, it has thick, powerfully built pincers it uses to grip and subdue prey with real force. Its sting is mild, but the strength of its claws means handling calls for care and respect. Being nocturnal, it spends daylight hours tucked away in a hide or substrate and becomes active after dark, making it a rewarding species to watch over time. Because it needs attentive humidity control and steady care, it's best suited to keepers with some prior experience.

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Dictator Scorpion key facts

Care level: Advanced
Lifespan: 6-9 years
Size: 12-20cm total length (guideline for the genus Pandinus)
Temperature
Humidity: 80%
Diet: Live insects such as crickets
Temperature & Humidity: Heterometrus and Pandinus are said to need essentially the same care, and the guideline for both genera is a warm end around 30 C against a room-temperature end, with humidity of 80% or more.
Enclosure: The group favours soft loamy soil, so provide substrate deep enough to burrow into, plus a hide and a shallow water dish. Fix the heat mat to the side.
Diet & Feeding: Offer live prey such as crickets once a week, one or two per scorpion, and remove any that are still uneaten the next day.
Temperament & Venom: Venom in the family is mild, with symptoms mostly local pain like a bee sting and no known fatalities, but the defensive behaviour of species other than the emperor scorpion is not well studied.
Notes: The species is listed on CITES Appendix II and international trade requires an export permit, so confirm proof of lawful import when acquiring one.

TraitsScorpionExotic invertebrateAfricaCITES Appendix II

About Dictator Scorpion

Discover the Dictator Scorpion, a striking black scorpion from West-Central Africa with thick, powerful pincers. Learn about its temperament and care needs — a species best suited to experienced keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Dictator Scorpion

1Best for Experienced Keepers
The Dictator Scorpion has a high care difficulty and requires experience managing humidity and temperature. It suits keepers who already have some scorpion-keeping background rather than first-timers.
2Powerful Pincers Need Care
Its thick, well-developed pincers can deliver a firm, forceful grip. The sting itself is mild, but to avoid injury from the pincers, it's best to limit direct bare-hand handling.
3Nocturnal and Shy by Day
It hides in a shelter or burrows into the substrate during the day and becomes active at night. Not seeing it during daylight hours is normal, not a sign of poor health.
4Large-Bodied, Emperor Scorpion Relative
Among its close relatives, including the Emperor Scorpion, many individuals reach roughly 12–20 cm in total length. Its glossy black body contrasted with thick, powerful pincers makes for a striking sight.
5Humidity Control Is Key
It prefers a moderately humid environment similar to its native tropical forest habitat. Both overly dry and overly wet substrate can lead to health problems, so regular monitoring is important.
6Provide a Hiding Spot
Provide a shelter or a thick layer of substrate it can burrow into. A secure hiding spot helps reduce stress and supports a calmer, healthier animal.
7Keep One Per Enclosure
Scorpions are territorial and can cannibalize one another, so housing them individually is standard practice. If you keep more than one, use separate enclosures for each.

Frequently asked questions about Dictator Scorpion

Q.Is the Dictator Scorpion dangerous?: A.Its sting is mild, but its powerful pincers can cause a painful pinch if handled carelessly. Using gloves and handling it cautiously is recommended.
Q.Can beginners keep this species?: A.This species is rated as suitable for experienced keepers. If you're not yet comfortable managing humidity and temperature, it's best to build up some keeping experience first.
Q.It's not visible during the day — is that normal?: A.Yes, it's nocturnal and normally hides in its shelter or the substrate during the day. You can observe it becoming active at night.
Q.Can it be housed with other individuals?: A.It's territorial and carries a risk of cannibalism, so keeping it solo is generally recommended. If housing multiple individuals, use separate enclosures.
Q.Is it subject to CITES import restrictions?: A.Dictator Scorpion is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.