Not furry either, still lovely.
Malaysian Black Scorpion
Heterometrus spinifer
Also called Asian Forest Scorpion, Giant Forest Scorpion, Giant Blue Scorpion, Malaysian Forest Scorpion, Thai Black Scorpion
From Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India and other Southeast Asian countries.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Some sources give 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) or up to 6 inches (15 cm).
Looks how to spot one
exoskeleton
The body is shiny black with grey-green reflections. It has large, powerful pincers (pedipalps) and a segmented tail ending in a venomous telson. The exoskeleton is hard and glossy.1
Personality what they are like
This scorpion is nervous and defensive. It prefers to use its strong pincers rather than its tail when threatened, but it will sting if provoked. It is more aggressive than the Emperor Scorpion and does not become tame in captivity. Handling is not recommended.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Nocturnal. Does not require exercise beyond natural movement within its enclosure. Provide deep substrate for burrowing and hiding places to encourage natural activity.25
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. The enclosure must be spot-cleaned of leftover food and waste. Misting the substrate daily helps maintain humidity. Never handle the scorpion; use long foam-tipped forceps for any necessary moves.65
Home where they are happiest
A horizontal terrarium at least 45x45x30 cm for one adult. Deep substrate (10-15 cm) of organic topsoil, coconut coir and peat moss for burrowing. Provide cork bark or hollow wood hides. Temperature 24-32°C, humidity 75-85%. A shallow water dish with a safe exit must always be available. This species is not social and should be kept alone to avoid aggression and cannibalism.547
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous. Feed 1-2 large insects per week, such as crickets, cockroaches, locusts, grasshoppers, mealworms or superworms. Occasionally offer a pinkie mouse. Remove uneaten live prey to prevent stress or injury, especially during moulting.152
Company who they like around
Solitary and territorial. Unlike the Emperor Scorpion, this species should not be housed with others due to high risk of aggression and cannibalism. It is not a pet for handling; observe it in its enclosure. Its venom is not lethal to humans but can cause pain similar to a bee or hornet sting. Keep away from children and other pets.532
The story where it all began
Heterometrus spinifer was first described by Ehrenberg in 1828. It was originally placed in the genus Buthus, then moved to Heterometrus by F. Karsch in 1879, a classification reaffirmed by F. Kovank in 2004. It has been kept in captivity for many years and is often confused with the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator) due to similar size and colour, but it is more aggressive and has a stronger sting.26
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Malaysian Black 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 Malaysian Black Scorpion?
Feed your scorpion 1-2 large insects per week, such as crickets or cockroaches. Remove any uneaten live prey to prevent stress, especially during moulting. Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed based on species, size and moult stage.15 Furry Diary plan
What does a Malaysian Black Scorpion eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats large insects like crickets, cockroaches, locusts, mealworms or superworms, and occasionally a pinkie mouse. Never feed it anything not listed, and always remove uneaten live prey to avoid injury.152
How much space does a Malaysian Black Scorpion need?
A horizontal terrarium at least 45x45x30 cm is needed for one adult. Provide deep substrate of 10-15 cm for burrowing, plus cork bark or hollow wood hides.547
What temperature, light or water does a Malaysian Black Scorpion need?
Keep the temperature between 24-32°C and humidity at 75-85%. A shallow water dish with a safe exit must always be available. Misting the substrate daily helps maintain humidity.546
How often should I clean a Malaysian Black Scorpion's home?
Spot-clean leftover food and waste weekly. Furry Diary's starting plan includes a full substrate change every 180 days. Never handle the scorpion; use long forceps for any moves.65 Furry Diary plan
Can a Malaysian Black Scorpion live with others?
No, this species is solitary and territorial, with a high risk of aggression and cannibalism. It should always be kept alone, unlike the Emperor Scorpion.532
How long does a Malaysian Black Scorpion live?
They typically live 7 to 8 years. Provide proper care and a stress-free environment to help them reach this lifespan.32
Can I handle a Malaysian Black Scorpion?
Handling is not recommended as this scorpion is nervous and defensive, and will sting if provoked. Its venom causes pain like a bee sting, so observe it in its enclosure and keep away from children and pets.135
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.
You might also like
Emperor Scorpion
Asian Forest ScorpionLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
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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: Heterometrus spinifer en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, coat or body, colours, temperament, diet basics, fun fact
- reptileszilla.com: malaysian black scorpion reptileszilla.comused for origin, lifespan years, temperament, activity needs, diet basics, social needs, history, fun fact
- snaketracks.com: asian forest scorpion snaketracks.comused for length cm, lifespan years, best traits, temperament, social needs, fun fact
- petproducts.org: heterometrus spinifer petproducts.orgused for length cm, habitat needs
- atlarium.bio: heterometrus spinifer atlarium.bioused for best traits, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs
- amentsoc.org: scorpions amentsoc.orgused for grooming or care, history
- bugzuk.com: 516 heterometrus spinifer malaysian forest scorpion bugzuk.comused for habitat needs
- wikianimals.eu: heterometrus spinifer wikianimals.eu
- 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.