Beginner Friendly Scorpions

[AldenDressler]

Howdy,

I'm brand new to the invert hobby and I'm looking to start with scorpions. I'm having the worst time finding beginner friendly species that aren't giants, so I figured this would be a good place to get my criteria down and ask. I'm looking for a species that is mildly venomous/non-lethal, can tolerate cooler temperatures, and isn't much more than 3 inches long. This is a hobby I'd love to pursue, but it's jsut not organized like I'm used to with reptiles and amphibians. All help is welcome, thank you.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I suggest the Pandinus imperator or Heterometrus spinifer as a beginner scorpion.

 

[AldenDressler]

I suggest the Pandinus imperator or Heterometrus spinifer as a beginner scorpion.

Those are both quite large species that I do not have room for. I live in a dorm, so I need something that can comfortably live in 5 gallons or less.

 

[SpookySpooder]

As babies they are smaller. It takes them a few years to get to 4"+ and you can rehome, trade off, or change your mind about it during that time.

Do you lean more toward desert burrowers or forest bark scorpions?

I'm not knowledgable on which species are venomous or not but perhaps @Outpost31Survivor @Joey Spijkers @Veno Manus can assist you

 

[AldenDressler]

As babies they are smaller. It takes them a few years to get to 4"+ and you can rehome, trade off, or change your mind about

Do you lean more toward desert burrowers or forest bark scorpions?

I don't have much preference, I've kept arid and tropical herps so I can do both. A species that tolerates cooler temperatures is preferred, but I can get heating arranged if need be. There aren't many scorpions that do well at room temp from what I've seen so far, so I'm not holding my breath on that.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

Euscorpius species describe what you're looking for perfectly. Very small (1-2 inches depending on species), very easy to take care of, super mild venom and from Europe, so they can handle a wide range of temps.
Other great options that fit your description are Liocheles australasiae (parthenogenetic, so there will be more) and Chaerilus species. Both would do well at room temperature if your room doesn't dip too low, very small and mild venom. Also most of the North American Vaejovidae stay fairly small, although they might benefit from additional heating during summer depending on the temperature of your room.
There are quite a few small Buthidae species as well, and although the venom of this family is stronger than previously mentioned, there are plenty of species that are not medically significant, for example Lychas spp., Orthochirus spp., some Centruroides sp., Babycurus spp., Uroplectes spp. These do require additional heat in my opinion though.

If your limit is 5 gallon though, you could even keep an adult Heterometrus in that, so you have way more options than what I just listed. My suggestions would be fine in half that footprint or less.

 

[AldenDressler]

Euscorpius species describe what you're looking for perfectly. Very small (1-2 inches depending on species), very easy to take care of, super mild venom and from Europe, so they can handle a wide range of temps.
Other great options that fit your description are Liocheles australasiae (parthenogenetic, so there will be more) and Chaerilus species. Both would do well at room temperature if your room doesn't dip too low, very small and mild venom. Also most of the North American Vaejovidae stay fairly small, although they might benefit from additional heating during summer depending on the temperature of your room.
There are quite a few small Buthidae species as well, and although the venom of this family is stronger than previously mentioned, there are plenty of species that are not medically significant, for example Lychas spp., Orthochirus spp., some Centruroides sp., Babycurus spp., Uroplectes spp. These do require additional heat in my opinion though.

If your limit is 5 gallon though, you could even keep an adult Heterometrus in that, so you have way more options than what I just listed. My suggestions would be fine in half that footprint or less.

Great suggestions, thank you very much! Just looked into Centruoides sp. and I love the look of the bicolor and nigrimanus. On a tank as small as a 5 gallon, I suppose a 4 watt heater would provide sufficient heat for one? I think there are some Zoo Med heaters that go that low, but I'll have to look around further to be certain. Thanks again.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

Centruroides bicolor and nigrimanus are amazing species. Both would be fine in a 5 gallon, even if they are some of the bigger representatives of this genus. Make sure to provide them with some vertical surfaces to climb and molt on, like stacks of cork bark, as they are arboreal.
C. bicolor occurs in tropical rainforests, so it should be kept very humid.
C. nigrimanus occurs in semi-deserts and tropical dry forests, so it should be kept fairly dry with just a slightly damp corner.
The heating depends mainly on the temperature of the room and the amount of ventilation of the enclosure. Lamps are the most effective. Heat mats only work if there is very little ventilation, or all the heat will escape. Strive to have it at 75-85⁰F during the day, and above 65 at night.

 

[Matt Man]

H. arizonensis is another good choice. Low humidity, pretty hardy

 

[Lordosteous]

The California Forest Scorpion! (Uroctonus mordax). They're small but not tiny, maxxing out around 3 inches, they're neither aggresive or dangerously venomous, and they're extremely hardy, thriving at room temperature and a variety of humiditys. Best beginner scorpion if you ask me, I've lost several Asian forest scorps through my time in the hobby but never a single California Forest scorpion.

 

[darkness975]

Howdy,

I'm brand new to the invert hobby and I'm looking to start with scorpions. I'm having the worst time finding beginner friendly species that aren't giants, so I figured this would be a good place to get my criteria down and ask. I'm looking for a species that is mildly venomous/non-lethal, can tolerate cooler temperatures, and isn't much more than 3 inches long. This is a hobby I'd love to pursue, but it's jsut not organized like I'm used to with reptiles and amphibians. All help is welcome, thank you.

Smeringurus mesaensis

 

[Matt Man]

The California Forest Scorpion! (Uroctonus mordax). They're small but not tiny, maxxing out around 3 inches, they're neither aggresive or dangerously venomous, and they're extremely hardy, thriving at room temperature and a variety of humiditys. Best beginner scorpion if you ask me, I've lost several Asian forest scorps through my time in the hobby but never a single California Forest scorpion.

yes, and the California Common (P. silvestrii)