Scorpions are striking, ultra-low-maintenance pets for older, careful keepers who love to observe. The emperor scorpion is large, docile, and a good beginner — but every scorpion can sting, so they're strictly a watch, don't handle pet. They glow under UV light, which is half the fun.
Is a scorpion a good pet for kids?
Quick answer: Scorpions are best for older kids with an adult helping. Scorpions are striking, ultra-low-maintenance pets for older, careful keepers who love to observe.
- 👍 Best for: amazingly low-maintenance and cheap, allergy-friendly
- 👀 Keep in mind: every scorpion can sting — never handle
- ⏳ Lifespan: 5–8 years
- 💲 Ongoing cost: about $8–$20/mo (setup & vet extra)
📋 Scorpion at a glance
Is a scorpion right for you?
💚 Why you'll love a scorpion
- Amazingly low-maintenance and cheap
- Glow under UV light
- Allergy-friendly
- Long-lived and fascinating
⚠️ Things to know
- Every scorpion can sting — never handle
- For older, careful keepers only
- Eat live insects
- Hide and burrow a lot
How to care for your Scorpion
Scorpion care in depth
A "watch, don't hold" pet — every scorpion can sting
Scorpions are striking, hardy, and almost unbelievably low-maintenance, but the headline rule is non-negotiable: every scorpion can sting, so you never handle them. They're strictly an observation pet for older, careful keepers. The best beginner species is the emperor scorpion — large, docile, with venom generally likened to a bee sting — but even a calm emperor should stay in its enclosure. As a rough guide, big-clawed, chunky scorpions tend to be milder; slender, thin-clawed ones tend to be more potent — but treat all as hands-off.
A warm, humid burrow
Match the enclosure to the species, but most popular scorpions (like the rainforest emperor) want warmth (around 78–85°F) and higher humidity, with deep substrate (several inches of coco fiber or soil) to burrow, a hide, and a shallow water dish. Desert species need it drier instead — so research your exact species before setting up. Keep a secure lid, and don't over-clean: scorpions like a stable, undisturbed home and spend much of their time tucked away.
Feeding, glowing, and a long, quiet life
Feeding is minimal — a few appropriately sized insects (crickets, roaches) each week, and they can fast for a while, so remove uneaten prey. Here's the fun part: scorpions glow bright blue-green under UV (blacklight), which is one of the best reasons to keep one — a quick blacklight makes for a magical night-time view. They're molting animals, so leave them undisturbed while they're soft after a molt. Quiet and undemanding, emperor scorpions live around 5–8 years.
Pet scorpions (like the calm emperor scorpion) are quiet, long-lived display pets — strictly 'look, don't touch,' since they can sting. Emperors can live 6–8 years.
✅ Before you bring a scorpion home
🗓️ Your routine — easy chores to remember
- Check warmth, humidity, and the water dish
- A quick, hands-off look that it's okay
- Feed an appropriately sized insect
- Remove uneaten prey
- Check humidity
- Refresh substrate as needed
- Watch for molting (don't disturb)
- Deep-clean occasionally
💰 Monthly cost: Low: a small tank, substrate, and a few feeder insects.
🤩 Fun facts about your Scorpion
Scorpions glow blue-green under a UV black-light — and no one fully knows why.
❓ Common questions about scorpions
How much does a scorpion cost per month?
Plan on roughly $8–$20 per month for food and supplies. Low: a small tank, substrate, and a few feeder insects.
Are scorpions good pets for kids?
Scorpions rate 2/5 for kid-friendliness — they're often more of a watch-and-learn pet for younger children. Strictly hands-off — observe only, ideally with a UV light for their glow.
How long do scorpions live?
Scorpions typically live 5–8 years. Make sure your family is ready for that commitment before bringing one home.
Are scorpions allergy-friendly?
No fur or dander, so allergy-friendly. A watch-only pet — never handle.
Are scorpions good pets?
For older, careful keepers who want to observe rather than handle, yes. The emperor scorpion is large, docile, hardy, and extremely low-maintenance. But every scorpion can sting, so they're strictly a watch-don't-hold pet, not suitable for young children.
Can you hold a pet scorpion?
No. Every scorpion can sting, so they should never be handled. Enjoy a scorpion as an observation pet in its enclosure — ideally with a UV blacklight, since scorpions glow, which is half the fun.
What is the best scorpion for beginners?
The emperor scorpion — large, calm, hardy, and with mild venom generally likened to a bee sting. As a rough guide, big-clawed chunky scorpions tend to be milder than slender, thin-clawed species, but all should be treated as hands-off.
Why do scorpions glow under UV light?
Scorpions have substances in their exoskeleton that fluoresce, so they glow bright blue-green under UV (blacklight). Shining a blacklight on your scorpion at night is a safe, fascinating way to watch it.
🎬 Scorpion care videos
Watch beginner-friendly care videos for your scorpion.
▶ Watch Scorpion care videos on YouTube
