Not furry either, still lovely.
Long-clawed Forest Scorpion
Heterometrus longimanus
Also called Asian forest scorpion, giant forest scorpion
From Southeast Asia, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and China (Hainan).12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Total length including tail; adults typically 4-5 inches (10-13 cm), but can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm).
Looks how to spot one
exoskeleton
A large, heavily built scorpion with a glossy black or dark brown exoskeleton, sometimes with a greenish sheen. It has massive, powerful claws (pedipalps) and a relatively slender tail with a small stinger. Under UV light, the whole body glows a brilliant blue-green.15
Personality what they are like
More defensive and quicker to pinch than the similar emperor scorpion. It relies on its strong claws rather than its mild venom, but will sting if provoked. Not suitable for handling; best kept as an observation pet.36
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Nocturnal and largely sedentary during the day. Needs a warm, humid enclosure with plenty of hiding spots and floor space to explore at night. No special exercise requirements.74
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Spot clean the enclosure weekly, removing leftover food. Change the substrate every six months. Clean and refill the water dish as needed. If a whitish fungal growth appears on the tail, dry the habitat for a couple of weeks and wipe with diluted hydrogen peroxide.7
Home where they are happiest
A 10-gallon (or larger) terrarium with a secure, ventilated lid. Use 3-4 inches of coconut husk or organic soil as substrate. Provide hiding places such as cork bark, logs, or a cave. Keep temperature at 75-85°F (24-29°C) with a heat mat on one side. Maintain humidity at 78-82% by misting. A shallow water dish with pebbles for grip should be provided. Not recommended for handling; use tongs or a container to move the scorpion.763
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insectivorous; feed live prey such as crickets, dubia roaches, locusts, mealworms, or superworms. Juveniles every 2-3 days, adults once or twice a week. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours.37
Company who they like around
Generally solitary and territorial. Can be kept in pairs or small groups if the enclosure is large enough with ample hiding spots, but aggression is possible. Not a social animal; does not need companionship.16
The story where it all began
The long-clawed forest scorpion is one of several Heterometrus species from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It has been kept in captivity for decades and is often recommended for beginners because of its mild venom and impressive size. However, it is more defensive than the emperor scorpion and is best treated as a display animal rather than one for handling.153
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Long-clawed Forest Scorpion?
Feed juveniles every 2-3 days and adults once or twice a week. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours to keep the enclosure clean. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding based on species, size and moult stage.37 Furry Diary plan
What does a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion eat, and what should it never eat?
Long-clawed Forest Scorpions eat live insects like crickets, roaches, and mealworms. They should never be fed dead prey or non-insect foods; always offer live, appropriately sized insects.37
How much space does a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion need?
A 10-gallon terrarium or larger with a secure, ventilated lid is ideal. Provide 3-4 inches of coconut husk or organic soil substrate and plenty of hiding spots like cork bark or a cave.763
What temperature, light or water does a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion need?
Keep the temperature at 75-85°F using a heat mat on one side, and maintain humidity at 78-82% by misting. Provide a shallow water dish with pebbles for grip. Lighting needs vary; ask an exotic-pet vet for specific advice.777
How often should I clean a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion's home?
Spot clean the enclosure weekly by removing leftover food, and change the substrate every six months. Clean and refill the water dish as needed. Furry Diary's plan also includes a humidity check every two days.7 Furry Diary plan
Can a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion live with others?
They are generally solitary and territorial, but can be kept in pairs or small groups if the enclosure is large enough with many hiding spots. However, aggression is possible, so it's best to observe them alone.16
How long does a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion live?
Long-clawed Forest Scorpions typically live 5 to 8 years with proper care.43
Can I handle a Long-clawed Forest Scorpion?
This scorpion is more defensive and quick to pinch, so handling is not recommended. It's best kept as an observation pet; use tongs or a container to move it.36
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- en.wikipedia.org: Asian forest scorpion en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, coat or body, colours, social needs, history
- carebase.apes.org.uk: thai forest scorpion heterometrus carebase.apes.org.ukused for origin
- vetverified.com: thinking of getting an asian forest scorpion heres everything you need vetverified.comused for length cm, lifespan years, colours, best traits, temperament, habitat needs, diet basics, history
- petproducts.org: heterometrus longimanus 2 petproducts.orgused for lifespan years, activity needs
- getlivebugs.com: asian forest scorpion getlivebugs.comused for coat or body, history, fun fact
- reptilesbymack.com: asian forest scorpion care sheet reptilesbymack.comused for temperament, habitat needs, social needs
- digitalassets.avantorsciences.com: rendition digitalassets.avantorsciences.comused for activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, fun fact
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.