Dune Scorpion

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton

The body is divided into a cephalothorax with large pincer-like pedipalps, four pairs of legs, and a segmented abdomen ending in a stinger. The colour is a very pale sandy beige, often appearing slightly translucent, with darker brownish-grey dorsal plates and darker joints on the pedipalps.1

Personality what they are like

Dune scorpions are very skittish, fast-moving and highly defensive. They are aggressive towards other scorpions and will cannibalise each other, so they must be kept alone. They are not suitable for handling and will sting readily if threatened.651

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and fossorial; spends 92-97% of its life in burrows. Emerges at dusk to hunt and mate, typically active for about 4 hours each night. Requires deep, loose sand to dig burrows.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low maintenance. No grooming needed. Enclosure should be kept bone dry with a small water dish. Monthly light misting can help maintain a slight humidity gradient, but the surface must remain dry. Use long tongs for any maintenance to avoid stings.745

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure with a minimum of 20x20x20 cm floor space is recommended. Provide at least 10 cm of sand-dominant substrate (70-90% sand mixed with fine soil or clay) to allow burrowing. Temperature should be 24-28°C (daytime) with a gentle gradient, dropping to 20-22°C at night. Humidity should be low, around 30-40%. Ventilation should be moderate. This species is venomous and should never be handled; keepers are advised to use long tongs. It is legal to keep in most places but check local regulations.3415

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous. Feed adults every 10-14 days on live prey such as small crickets, roaches, and occasional mealworms or waxworms. Prey should be offered near the burrow entrance to mimic natural ambush hunting.31

Company who they like around

Strictly solitary. They are highly aggressive and cannibalistic towards other scorpions. Must be housed individually. This species is venomous; its sting is not lethal to humans but has been compared to a hornet sting. Keepers should never handle them.15

The story where it all began

The dune scorpion has been kept in captivity for many years by invertebrate enthusiasts, though it remains less common than some other desert scorpions. Its popularity has grown as keepers appreciate its specialised burrowing lifestyle and striking pale colour. It is considered of medium difficulty to keep, suitable for beginners with proper guidance.46