Emperor Scorpion

The emperor scorpion is the most commonly kept pet scorpion in the US, valued for its large size, docile temperament, and comparatively mild sting. Like tarantulas, it's an invertebrate ambush predator that eats infrequently rather than grazing, so feeding centers on occasional, appropriately sized live prey. Dubia roaches and mealworms are both well-supported staple feeders, with superworms better suited to larger juveniles and adults.

What to Feed

Dubia roaches and mealworms are established staples, appearing consistently across independent care sheets. Superworms are accepted too, but best reserved for sub-adult/adult scorpions — stronger mandibles are a poorer match for small juveniles or any recently molted scorpion. Prey size matters more than species: no larger than the scorpion's carapace/body width, and juveniles specifically should never get prey more than half to three-quarters their own body length.

Feeding Schedule

• Scorplings/young juveniles: small prey (≤ scorpling's body length), 1–3x/week — X-Small dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week) are ideal
• Growing juveniles: appropriately sized prey roughly every 5–7 days — Small dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week)
• Adults: 2–4 appropriately sized prey items every 7–14 days (commonly ~once a week) — Medium dubia roach nymphs or Medium superworms both work well (a 25–50-count order lasts several weeks)
• Before/after a molt: stop feeding — most refuse food 5–10 days pre-molt; don't feed again for at least 2–3 days (up to 7–10) after, until the new exoskeleton hardens

Gut-Loading, Not Dusting

No calcium or D3 dusting is needed. As an invertebrate with a chitin exoskeleton and no internal bone, this species grows through periodic molting, not bone development — there's no mechanism that benefits from extra calcium, and excess calcium can interfere with a healthy molt. Gut-load feeders 24–48 hours before offering (dubia, with slower gut transit, benefits from closer to 48–72 hours).

Common Mistakes

• Oversized prey — can injure a scorpion rather than just go uneaten, especially small or recently molted animals
• Feeding around a molt — active prey can bite/stress a soft, freshly molted scorpion
• Leaving live prey in the enclosure — remove uneaten feeders within 24 hours; at this species' typical 70–90% humidity, leftovers turn into a mold/mite problem fast
• Dusting "just in case" — reptile boilerplate that doesn't apply to an invertebrate