Leiurus quinquestriatus Care

Distribution: Middle East and North Africa

Housing: Plastic storage containers, aquariums, etc.

The young are best housed individually in deli containers with a small piece bark or another structure to hide under and several small holes for ventilation.

The adults can be housed in plastic storage boxes with holes drilled in them or in aquariums. A water dish is not needed for this species, but one can be provided as long as it does not increase the humidity to such a high level that it causes health problems, such as mycosis. There should also be an ample number of hides.

Substrate: Dry peat moss/ coco fiber or sand

Place 3-5 in. or 7.5-12.5 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 the substrate, very lightly, approximately every 2 months.

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: 40-50%

Diet: Crickets or roaches

Feed the scorpions crickets or roaches that are smaller than the scorpion itself. 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

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.