Description
Scientific Name: Pandinus dictator
The Emperor Scorpion and the Dictator Scorpion look remarkably similar to the untrained eye. They are both enormous scorpions, capable of growing to a length of 8 inches. The P. dictator, however, frequently grows bigger than the P. imperator. They both have stocky, hefty bodies with large claws, and their entire bodies are colored a dark brown or black, all of which add to their appeal as pets. To identify between them, you must attentively inspect their pincers. On their pincers, emperors have more hairs (trichobothria) than dictators do.
Habitat
Although they only have a small territory, dictators are native to Africa. Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea are all home to them.
Behavior
Being fairly shy, these scorpions frequently spend the most of the day hidden out in their burrow, only emerging to eat or mate. You might not get to see your pet as frequently as you’d want as a result. These creatures have fairly docile dispositions. They don’t frequently act defensively, and many of them are actually rather gentle.
They usually don’t mind being touched, but I wouldn’t suggest it. Social animals like cats or dogs are more cuddly than arachnids are. They might put up with you handling them, but they don’t especially enjoy it.
As Pet
Tank setup
The P. Dictator is a large spider. They require a terrarium that is appropriate for their size as a result. They require a container with a minimum capacity of 10 gallons. However, it should be remembered that a larger cage is not always preferable for a scorpion. Although you might assume that having more room would be something they would like, they are really quite sluggish. To save energy, they prefer to move as little as possible. They don’t mind living in a somewhat small enclosure because it makes catching prey easier for them.
Make sure there are lots of places for them to hide. Although they spend the most of their time in their burrow, they like having places to hide when they do venture outside.
Humidity & Temperature
These scorpions require a moderately warm, humid environment. Attempt to maintain a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and an 80% humidity level. By keeping the substrate moist, you may maintain a high humidity level. However, be careful to avoid making the substrate soggy. It should have some moisture, but not be sopping wet.
Feeding
Dictator Scorpions consume a wide variety of insects. Almost any insect that you toss at them that is small enough for them to catch they will consume. However, gut-loaded crickets and roaches are the best insects to feed them. Additionally, you can occasionally give them waxworms, mealworms, and superworms to add some variety to their diet.
These spiders can easily eat a few insects every other day because to their large appetite. But keep in mind that no two scorpions are alike, thus each has a different appetite. You can immediately determine if you are feeding them too much or too little if you keep an eye on them.
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