Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator)

Species information

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Threats

The emperor scorpion is threatened by over-collection for the pet trade (3) (7) (11), and by continuing destruction of its habitat through deforestation (5) (7) (11). The relatively small litter sizes and long generation times typical of scorpions may mean populations take a long time to recover from any losses (7).

Conservation

The emperor scorpion was added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) due to concerns over the level of international trade in the species, and the potential effects on its populations. This listing means that international trade in the species should be carefully monitored and controlled, although those responsible for monitoring such trade are rarely scorpion experts, making identification of the different species a problem (1) (12). However, there is an increasing preference for captive-bred specimens in the pet trade (5), and this may go some way towards helping to prevent the emperor scorpion’s decline.