Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator)The emperor scorpion is a species of scorpion native to rainfor
Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator)The emperor scorpion is a species of scorpion native to rainforests and savannas in West Africa. It is one of the largest scorpions in the world, with adults averaging about 20 centimetres in length and a weight of 30 g, and lives for 6–8 years. Its body is black, but like other scorpions it glows pastel green or blue under ultraviolet light. It is a popular species in the pet trade, and is protected by CITES. Scorpion stings can be categorized as mild (similar to a bee sting) to severe to humans depending on the species. Most people are not affected by the emperor scorpion’s sting, though some people may be allergic to scorpion stings in general. Sensory hairs cover the pincers and tail, enabling the emperor scorpion to detect prey through vibrations in the air and ground. They are known for their docile behavior and almost harmless sting; they do not use their sting to defend themselves when they are adults, however, they may use it in their adolescent stages. The emperor scorpion is an African rainforest species, but also present in savanna. This species inhabits both tropical forest and open savannas. The emperor scorpion burrows beneath the soil and hides beneath rocks and debris, and also often burrows in termite mounds. In the wild, emperor scorpions primarily consume insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, although termites constitute a large portion of their diet. Larger vertebrates, such as rodents and lizards, are occasionally eaten.photo credits: Rosa Pineda, Mike Baird -- source link
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