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.
📋 Scorpion at a glance
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Home
Small space
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Care time
A little
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Cost
$8–$20/mo
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Lifespan
5–8 years
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Cuddliness
Best to watch
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Kid-friendly
★★☆☆☆
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Allergies
✅ Allergy-friendly
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
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HomeA warm tank with deep substrate to burrow, a hide, and the right humidity for the species.
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Food & waterA few appropriately sized insects like crickets or roaches each week.
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HealthKeep warmth and humidity right; provide a shallow water dish and leave them to burrow.
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Handling & playStrictly hands-off — observe only, ideally with a UV light for their glow.
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AllergiesNo fur or dander, so allergy-friendly. A watch-only pet — never handle.
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
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Room at homeA scorpion needs a secure tank sized to the species, with substrate to burrow, a hide, and the right warmth and humidity. A tight lid is essential for safety.
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Supplies to get firstGet a secure tank, deep substrate, a hide, a humidity gauge, a heat source if needed, a shallow water dish, and live insects like crickets for food.
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Finding a vetVets don't treat scorpions, so the seller and invertebrate communities are your resources. Correct humidity and temperature prevent most problems.
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Money & emergenciesThere's no insurance for scorpions. Research and the right warm, humid setup keep them healthy — and handling is best avoided.
🗓️ Your routine — easy chores to remember
☀️ Every day
Check warmth, humidity, and the water dish
A quick, hands-off look that it's okay
📅 Every week
Feed an appropriately sized insect
Remove uneaten prey
Check humidity
🌙 Now & then
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.
Meet the Scorpion types & breeds
Emperor Scorpion allergy-friendlier
Big, glossy-black, and the calmest beginner scorpion.
BigCalmEasy careOkay with care
Fun fact: Despite their size, their sting is usually mild — but still, no handling.
Asian Forest Scorpion allergy-friendlier
Similar to an emperor but more defensive.
BigCalmEasy careLook, don't hold
Fun fact: They like it humid, like a rainforest floor.
Desert Hairy Scorpion allergy-friendlier
A sandy desert species covered in sensory hairs.
MediumCalmEasy careLook, don't hold
Fun fact: The hairs help them feel insects moving nearby.
💬 For grown-ups: the buttons above are affiliate links (we may earn a commission). The $/$$/$$$ badges are our rough budget guide, not live prices — always check the size, fit, and current price for your specific pet.
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.
