Brown Bark Scorpion

Looks how to spot one

exoskeleton

A slender, agile bark scorpion with long, almost thread-like pincers and a segmented tail ending in a venomous telson. The carapace is golden-brown or reddish with two dark longitudinal stripes running along the back, and the legs are a vivid yellow. This striped pattern gives it a striking appearance.6

Personality what they are like

Semi-aggressive and defensive. It will sting if provoked, and its venom causes intense pain and allergic reactions in humans. Handling is strongly discouraged. In a group, they can be kept together if well-fed and provided with plenty of hides, but cannibalism may still occur, especially females eating males.264

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and arboreal. Needs tall enclosures with vertical cork bark, branches and plenty of climbing surfaces. They often rest and feed upside down. Provide a day-night light cycle without intense brightness.61

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low maintenance. Spot-clean uneaten food and waste. Maintain high humidity by keeping the substrate moist (not wet) and misting as needed. During moulting, do not disturb and withhold food until the new exoskeleton hardens.46

Home where they are happiest

An arboreal setup with a tall terrarium (e.g. 5-gallon tank or large critter keeper for adults). Substrate: 6-8 inches of sand, peat/coco fibre and vermiculite mix, kept moist but not waterlogged. Provide vertical cork bark, branches, and hides. Temperature 23-30°C (77-85°F), humidity 70-80%. Solitary housing is safest, but groups can be tried with ample space and food. Note: this species is venomous and can cause serious pain; keep out of reach of children and pets.246

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous. Feed on crickets, roaches, locusts and mealworms. Juveniles need smaller prey like pinhead crickets. Remove uneaten food to keep the enclosure clean.26

Company who they like around

Generally solitary but can be kept in small groups if given plenty of space, vertical climbing areas and regular heavy feeding to reduce cannibalism. Even then, females may eat males. This species is venomous and should never be handled. It is not illegal to keep in most countries, but check local regulations as it is an introduced species in some regions.461

The story where it all began

Centruroides margaritatus has been known to science since 1841 and is one of the most researched scorpion species due to its wide distribution. It has been kept as a pet for many years, especially by enthusiasts of bark scorpions. Its striking striped pattern and acrobatic upside-down feeding behaviour make it a popular display animal. It was introduced to Florida and parts of Africa through human activity, where it now lives in and around buildings.172