How to Pick Up a Scorpion

Ever wondered how to pick up a scorpion? Any pet that lives in a contained environment, whether it’s a traditional glass tank, a specialty vivarium, or even a wire or mesh cage, will need its enclosure cleaned from time to time. Because this is also true of venomous pet scorpions, this blog entry will demonstrate how to pick up and handle your scorpion when the time comes to remove it from its enclosure.

First of all, most people who keep scorpions as pets are aware that these invertebrates are not domesticated animals and are generally best left to their own devices. Scorpions are not pets that should be handled, petted, or otherwise coddled like traditional pets. They do best when observed and not disturbed. In other words, Backwater Reptiles does not recommend taking your scorpion out of its enclosure unless it’s necessary for the animal’s health.

When you pick up your scorpion, grab it at the tip of the tail just beneath the stinger using your index finger and thumb. This will prevent the animal from whipping its tail and injecting you with venom.

how to pick up a scorpion
Use two fingers to firmly yet gently grip the tip of the scorpion’s tail when attempting to move the animal. We squeeze on either side, just below the stinger.

Once you have a firm but not too tight grasp on the tip of the scorpion’s tail, gently but efficiently lift the animal up and transfer it to your desired destination. Be aware that the animal will more than likely wriggle, so it’s wise to move quickly for your own safety and to eliminate stressing the scorpion.

Bulky and hefty scorpions such as the Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus) or the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator) are easiest to move using the two finger grab method because in general they are slower and less feisty than other species.

If you’re dealing with a species such as the Desert Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) that tend to be rather aggressive, we advise using tongs or tweezers. This is because when the scorpion species is more agile, it can reach around with its front pedipalps or pincer claws and pinch your fingers, which is not a pleasant experience.

Handling a scorpion
Use tongs or tweezers when picking up feisty scorpion species such as this Desert Hairy Scorpion. Their claws can reach back above them.

If you’re interested in a pet scorpion of your own, Backwater Reptiles offers a variety of scorpion species for sale.

Have you developed any tricks for picking up your pet scorpion that we didn’t mention? Let us know your experiences in the comments!

How Do Scorpions Reproduce?

Are you wondering how scorpions reproduce? Believe it or not, baby scorpions are birthed live and do not hatch from eggs! They develop within the female scorpion until they’re ready to emerge.

The easiest sign of a pregnant scorpion is a heavily swollen mid-section. The area will look taught, and the exoskeleton sections will be stretched. Breeding scorpions isn’t considered difficult, but at the same time, rarely occurs in captivity because not many people are attempting it.

Newborn scorpions hitch a ride on their mother’s back until their exoskeletons harden, which generally takes 1-3 weeks. After they have sturdy exoskeletons to protect them, they scuttle off and live individual lives.

How scorpions reproduce
A mother scorpion defending her babies. Reproduction full-cycle.

Scorpion Reproduction Isn’t Always Pretty

These baby Asian Forest scorpions (Heterometrus spinifer) will grow up to be between three and a half to five inches long and they will live an average of six to ten years, making them long-lived pet companions.

The babies are ready to head to new homes after approximately one month–after they have undergone several molts. The mother will sometimes consume the babies if you’re not careful, so check on them often–scorpion reproduction isn’t always cute and cuddly.

Because they primarily eat insects and don’t get very large, Asian Forest Scorpions (and scorpions in general) are very easy to keep and maintain.

Their habitats can be fairly small and several can even be housed together, although it’s not highly recommended. If you are keeping more than one per enclosure, please ensure that each scorpion has its own hide, and plenty of food (crickets, waxworms, mealworms).

scorpion after reproduction
Here’s a close-up picture of some new scorpion babies

Due to their venomous nature, it’s not recommended to handle your scorpion without proper protective gear and the right equipment, although in general, scorpions are fairly docile.

It’s been said (although we haven’t tested this statement ourselves!) that at worst, a scorpion’s sting is just a little more painful than a bee sting. Their venom is one of the most valuable liquids on planet earth, valued at $38,858,507 per gallon according to a recent Wall Street journal article!

We’ve heard that if you’re allergic to a bee sting, a scorpion sting is just as dangerous, but this is hotly debated.

Hopefully we’ve been able to thoroughly answer the question, “How do scorpions reproduce?” If not, please drop us a line.

Although these particular little guys won’t be ready to be sold to new homes for around a month, you can still get your very own scorpions from Backwater Reptiles for only $12.99. Check out our selection of Asian Forest Scorpions for sale today!