These ancient arachnids have been roaming the earth for over 400 million years.
Even though they are cold blooded, scorpions can handle temperatures below freezing or endure the heat of the desert.
Young scorpions ride on their mother’s back until ready to venture out alone.
One of the largest scorpions in the world, the emperor can measure up to 8 inches in length. Most specimens are around four to five inches long.
They are native to Africa. An emperor scorpion is likely to dig into a termite mound and live there for a while, making use of the food inside.
They dine on ants, spiders, caterpillars and other scorpions.
Timid and reclusive, these burrowing scorpions use their front legs to dig, coming out only to hunt food. But beware, a scorpion on the defensive raises his stinger tail over its body, and lifts its claws, ready to attack.
Emperor scorpions are on the “threatened species” list because of over collection for pets. They are a favorite food for many animals in Africa, including other scorpions, spiders, parasitic wasps and flies, birds, reptiles and amphibians, monkeys, the mongoose, various rodents and even human beings.
They can live 5-8 years in captivity, and less in the wild.