Giant Forest Scorpion

Heterometrus swammerdami

ScorpionintermediateVenom: MildCommunal OK

Venom note

Mild venom (subdues prey by crushing); a sting causes painful swelling/fever — respect, no handling.

About

The largest scorpion in the world, reaching ~9 inches — and, for its size, fairly docile, since it kills by crushing with huge pincers rather than venom. Keep warm (75-85°F), humid (70-80%), with deep moist substrate to burrow and a water dish. Avid digger. Recently reclassified as Gigantometrus swammerdami. Venom is mild but a sting still causes painful swelling — best left unhandled.

Taxonomy

FamilyScorpionidae

GenusHeterometrus

Native regionIndia, Sri Lanka

TypeFossorial

Temperamentdocile for its size; best not handled

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to 9 inches

Length180.00–230.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature75–85 °F

Humidity70–80%

Enclosure

Adult size10-20 gal; deep substrate or rock stacks per type

Substratedeep moist coco/soil for burrowing; bark hides; water dish

Substrate depth3-6 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1 prey every 1-2 weeks

Times kept: 0