Deathstalker Scorpion Care Sheet

Deathstalker Scorpion
(Leiurus quinquestriatus)
by Jon Fouskaris
*Information provided by Frank Somma

Deathstalker Scorpion
UNSEXED ADULT
Specimen provided by Frank Somma.
Photo taken by Jon Fouskaris.

The Deathstalker Scorpion is no play-time scorpion. Known for having one of the most potent venoms out of all the scorpion species, if not the most, the Deathstalker Scorpion can create a highly dangerous situation for someone who has been stung. For advanced keepers who have the need to keep a dangerous scorpion like this, be very careful because the possibility of being stung is always there, no matter how "advanced" you know you are. With that said, I can move on. The Deathstalker Scorpion is a fairly large and aggressive scorpion species. There may be different color variations of this species in the wild, depending on locality, but it's not certain. The Deathstalker Scorpion is a bright and attractive species, with a relatively thin tail, which is unusual for venomous scorpions. Overall, when keeping the Deathstalker Scorpion, or any venomous arachnid for that matter, make sure it's in a container that it can't escape from, and never loose respect for the animal when you're dealing with it.

Range	Deserts and scrubland from the Middle East to northern Africa, particularly Egypt.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Babies eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, mealworms, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	3.5 to 4.5 inches.
Growth	Medium to fast speed.
Temperature	70 to 80° F.
Humidity	65 to 70%. Adults may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 5-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of sand, peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add rocks, or cork bark.
Other Names	Death Stalker Scorpion, and Arabian Deathstalker Scorpion.

*Please note that ALL scorpions have a certain amount of venom. This species happens to have very strong venom. If you get stung by it, you may very well die. This is one of the reasons that people should not handle this scorpion. This scorpion is dangerous, so be very careful!