Jackson's Scorpion

Looks how to spot one

exoskeleton

A medium-sized scorpion with a robust body, eight legs, a pair of pedipalps (pincers), and a segmented tail ending in a venomous telson. The exoskeleton is hard and segmented.2

Personality what they are like

Generally calm and non-aggressive, moving away slowly when disturbed. However, if startled or handled roughly, it can become very fast and unpredictable. It is known to feign death as a defence, especially in younger animals. Because it is a buthid scorpion with more potent venom than many pet species, it is not recommended for beginners.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity needs. It is a terrestrial scorpion that spends most of its time hiding under bark or rocks. It does not require climbing space, though it may climb occasionally. Floor space is more important than height.23

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming. The scorpion grooms itself using moisture from the substrate or a water dish. The enclosure should be spot-cleaned of uneaten prey and waste. Moulting requires higher humidity and a stress-free environment; do not disturb during this time.12

Home where they are happiest

A terrarium of at least 30x20 cm for one specimen, or 50x40 cm for a group of 6-8. Substrate should be 5 cm deep of humus, earth or coconut fibre, kept moist on one side and dry on the other. Provide several flat pieces of bark or roots as hides. Temperature: 25-28°C during the day, dropping to room temperature at night. Humidity: 60-80%. A shallow water dish is optional if the substrate is kept moist. This species is from East and Central Africa and is not desert-adapted; it needs moderate ventilation. Note: This scorpion is venomous and should be treated as a hands-off pet. It is not illegal to keep in most countries, but local regulations should be checked.123

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed appropriately sized live prey such as crickets, mealworms, roaches (e.g. Blaptica dubia, Blatta lateralis). Young scorpions should be fed twice a week, adults once every one to two weeks. Remove uneaten prey after 1-2 days.14

Company who they like around

This species is social and can be kept in groups, especially if provided with plenty of hides and space. Cannibalism is rare but can occur during moulting, especially among juveniles. A group with more females than males is recommended. Males can be territorial. Note: This scorpion is venomous and should never be handled. It is not suitable for beginners.12

The story where it all began

Jackson's Scorpion was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1890, based on a female specimen collected by F.J. Jackson near Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya. The species is named after Jackson. It has been kept in captivity for many years and is now bred regularly, making captive-bred young easily available. It is less common in the pet trade than some other scorpions but is appreciated by enthusiasts for its interesting behaviour and manageable size.15

Recognised by the official bits

ITIS

Taxonomic classification: Family Buthidae, Genus Babycurus, Species Babycurus jacksoni (Pocock, 1890)6