SpeciesAsian forest scorpion
Asian forest scorpion
Heterometrus spinifer
Very similar to the emperor scorpion, but readier to defend itself and more common in the trade. Here too: observe, don't handle.
- Group
- Scorpion
- Level
- Beginner
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
Where the species comes from
- World region
- Southeast Asia
- Countries
- Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
- Habitat
- Humid forests, under dead wood and leaf litter
The app does not yet hold an origin entry for this species. The distribution given here comes from the specialist literature.
The natural habitat is the yardstick for how you furnish an enclosure. Knowing where an animal comes from is knowing why it needs heat zones, hides and a particular humidity.
Husbandry at a glance
The same details appear in the animal’s profile inside the app.
- Enclosure
- 50 × 40 × 40 cm for one animal.
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C by day, 22–24 °C at night.
- Humidity
- 70–80 %, moist substrate.
- Lighting
- No lighting needed.
- Substrate
- 15 cm of moist coco-soil mix.
- Furnishings
- Cork tubes, pieces of bark, leaf litter.
- Water
- Shallow dish.
- Feeding
- One to two insects per week.
- Behaviour
- Nocturnal, digs, lies in wait at its hide. Readier to defend itself than the emperor scorpion.
- Handling
- Do not handle. The claw grip is painful, the sting usually harmless to a healthy adult; allergic reactions are possible.
- Cohabitation
- Alone. In this species group keeping ends in cannibalism more often than with the emperor scorpion.
- Health
- Shedding problems if kept too dry.
- Seasonal cycle
- No rest period needed.
- Safety
- No permit under the Ordinance. Cantonal rules may apply to venomous animals: Check before buying.
Legal position in Switzerland
No permit foreseen
No keeping permit under the Ordinance: It does not cover arachnids. Cantonal rules may exist for venomous animals; check with the cantonal veterinary office before buying
No certificate of competence foreseen
No proof of competence required. It is only demanded for the animals named in Art. 89 of the Ordinance
No CITES listing
Not listed in the CITES appendices: Import and transfer require no species-protection papers. Keep the proof of purchase nonetheless
Minimum enclosure dimensions
The Animal Welfare Ordinance does not apply to these animals: under Art. 1 it governs the handling of vertebrates, cephalopods and reptant decapods. There are therefore no minimum dimensions. Housing, climate and places to retreat should still match the needs of the species. The cantonal veterinary office can say whether cantonal rules apply, for example to venomous animals.
What the enclosure must provide
Escape-proof closure, humidity and temperature suited to the species, a hide and climbing structure.
Paperwork
Keep the receipt. Cantonal rules may apply to venomous animals: Check with the cantonal veterinary office before buying.
These details are a guide, not legal advice. Binding information comes from the cantonal veterinary office; the text of the ordinance is what counts. More on the legal position
