Sulawesi Black Scorpion

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton

A robust, stocky scorpion with a reddish-yellow to yellowish-brown body covered in diffuse brownish spots, giving a speckled or mottled appearance. The carapace is reddish-brown with two darker spots, the legs and tail show variegated spotting, and the pincers are reddish-brown with very dark fingers. The body is built for burrowing, with stout pedipalps and a short, smooth tail tip.12

Personality what they are like

Extremely docile and rarely stings. This scorpion is shy and reclusive, preferring to retreat or hide rather than confront threats. Its venom is of little or no medical significance, making it a safe species for keepers.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and mostly sedentary. It spends the day hidden under leaf litter, bark or in shallow burrows, and emerges at night to hunt. It cannot climb vertical surfaces, so a ground-level enclosure with plenty of hiding spots is ideal.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very low maintenance. The main tasks are maintaining humidity (75-85%) by misting 2-3 times a week, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, and removing uneaten prey after 24 hours. Overhandling should be avoided as the scorpion is delicate and may drop a limb (autotomy).2

Home where they are happiest

A secure 10-20 gallon terrarium with a tight lid. Use a 2-3 inch layer of moist coconut fibre or similar substrate for burrowing. Provide multiple hides (cork bark, leaf litter) and a shallow water dish. Temperature should be 24-28°C with a slight night drop; humidity 75-85%. Good ventilation is needed but avoid drafts.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed small live insects such as crickets, roaches or termites. Juveniles need prey about once a week; adults every 1-2 weeks. Prey size should be no larger than one third of the scorpion's body length.2

Company who they like around

Strictly solitary. These scorpions are not social and should be housed alone except for brief mating encounters. They show no aggression toward keepers but will not tolerate other scorpions in the same enclosure.2

The story where it all began

First described in 1894 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock based on specimens from Luwu on Sulawesi. It has been kept in captivity for many years, especially by Asian and European hobbyists, who value its small size, easy care and calm nature. It is sometimes called the Asian bush scorpion because of its habit of hiding in low vegetation and leaf litter.15