Androctonus australis Care

Distribution: Africa and Asia

Housing: Plastic storage containers, aquariums, etc.

The young are best housed individually in small deli containers with a hide and several small holes for ventilation.

The adults can be housed together in pairs or small groups, if fed regularly. Housing options include plastic storage boxes with holes drilled in them or aquariums. A water dish should be provided twice a month for the adults to drink from. Also, an ample number of hides should be provided.

Substrate: Peat moss or coco fiber & sand

Place 2-4 in. or 5-10 cm of a 40% peat moss or coco fiber and 60% sand mixture on the bottom of the enclosure or use 100% sand and mist a portion of the substrate, very lightly, approximately every month.

Temperature: 70-90°F or 21-32°C

Maintain the temperature at 70-90°F or 21-32°C. The higher the temperature (within this range) the faster the scorpions will grow, breed, and give birth.

Humidity: 50-60%

Diet: Crickets or roaches

Feed the scorpions crickets or roaches that are smaller than the scorpion itself. Feed the adults once every week and the juveniles twice weekly. Remove prey if it has not been eaten within 24 hours and also remove any remains of eaten prey, such as legs, wings, etc.

Reproduction: Sexual

Sexing: Females have 22-29 pectine teeth. Males have 30-38 pectine teeth.

Venom level: 5 of 5

The venom of this scorpion is extremely toxic. When placed on a scale from 1-5, where 1 is mildly toxic venom and 5 is extremely toxic venom, it is a 5.