Southern Devil Scorpion

Vaejovis carolinianus

ScorpionbeginnerVenom: MildCommunal OK

Venom note

Mild — the sting is moderately painful but not life-threatening or medically serious (barring allergy). It is, however, one of the more sting-prone species in the pet trade. No handling.

About

A small, dark, cool-climate scorpion native to the southeastern U.S. Appalachians — hardy, undemanding, and comfortable at ordinary room temperatures (mid-60s to low-80s°F), which makes it one of the easier beginner scorpions. Give it a couple of inches of lightly moist soil and leaf litter with flat rocks and bark to hide under and a small water dish; it takes crickets, mealworms, and termites. Communal-tolerant with space, though it may cannibalize smaller specimens. Venom is mild, but it's quicker to sting than most hobby species — kept hands-off.

Taxonomy

FamilyVaejovidae

GenusVaejovis

Native regionSoutheastern United States (Appalachian region)

TypeScansorial

Temperamentprone to sting for its size; otherwise unassuming

Size & growth

Adult size~1.5 inches

Length25.00–45.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature65–80 °F

Humidity50–70%

Enclosure

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

Substratelightly moist soil/leaf-litter with flat rocks and bark to hide under; small water dish

Substrate depth2 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1 prey every 1-2 weeks

Times kept: 0