Emperor Scorpion Feeding: Schedule, Diet, and Why Fasting Is Normal
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Emperor scorpion feeding is low-effort once you internalize the one fact that changes everything about how often you should be doing it: this species has a slow metabolism and can comfortably go far longer between meals than most keepers assume.
The Staple Diet
Emperor scorpions are obligate carnivores, and gut-loaded feeder insects make up the entire diet. Crickets and dubia roaches are the most reliable staples, with locusts and the occasional mealworm or superworm added for variety. Adults use their powerful pincers to tear prey apart rather than relying on the stinger, which is really more of a last-resort defensive tool for this species.
Feeding Frequency and Portions
Size prey to your scorpion's body, nothing larger than the abdomen. A practical portion is 3 to 4 crickets or the equivalent at a time. Frequency depends heavily on age and life stage:
- Juveniles and nymphs: every 2 to 4 days, they're growing and genuinely more voracious.
- Adults: once a week is standard, sometimes 2 to 3 insects offered weekly.
Emperor scorpions can safely fast for a month or two, especially heading into a molt, and refusing food during that window is normal, not a sign of a problem. Always remove any uneaten prey within 24 hours, live insects left in the enclosure can stress or injure a resting or molting scorpion. A good rule of thumb for adjusting frequency: an abdomen that looks narrower than the carapace means feed a bit more; a visibly distended abdomen means it's time to cut back.
Foods to Avoid
Never feed wild-caught insects, pesticide and parasite risk are both real concerns. Fireflies are genuinely toxic to scorpions and must never be offered. Skip human or table food entirely, scorpions are built to digest liquefied insect prey, not processed food. And avoid prey that's too large for your scorpion to subdue safely.
Supplementation
None needed directly. Instead of supplementing the scorpion, supplement the food: gut-load feeder insects with fresh produce or a commercial gut-load for at least 24 hours before offering them, this is genuinely how nutrition gets to your scorpion in this species.
The Mistakes That Matter
Overfeeding is the risk here, and obesity is a documented, common problem in captive scorpions, and because this species needs so much less food than its constant hunting behavior might suggest, it's easy to offer more than it needs.
The second mistake is leaving live prey in the enclosure too long, an uneaten cricket can genuinely injure a molting or resting scorpion if it's not removed within a day. Feeding wild-caught insects or, worse, fireflies specifically, introduces a real poisoning or parasite risk that's entirely avoidable by sourcing feeders properly.
The Emperor Scorpion encyclopedia profile covers the species' natural history.
Sources & Further Reading
Last reviewed 16 Aug 2026 · 2 sources
- The Bio Dude: Emperor Scorpion Care Sheet and Bioactive Maintenance
- Exo Terra: Emperor Scorpion Care Guide
- The Critter Depot: Emperor Scorpion Care Guide
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What do emperor scorpions eat?
The whole diet is gut-loaded feeder insects. Crickets and dubia roaches are the reliable staples, with locusts and the occasional mealworm or superworm for variety. An adult tears prey apart with its pincers rather than the stinger.
How often should I feed my emperor scorpion?
Juveniles and nymphs every 2 to 4 days, since they're growing and more voracious. Adults once a week is standard, sometimes 2 to 3 insects. Keep prey no larger than the abdomen.
Is it normal for my emperor scorpion to stop eating?
Yes. This species can safely fast for a month or two, particularly before a molt, and refusing food in that window is normal. Always remove any uneaten prey within 24 hours.
Do emperor scorpions need calcium or vitamin supplements?
Not directly. Supplement the food, not the scorpion: gut-load feeders for at least 24 hours on fresh produce or a commercial gut-load before offering them.
Can emperor scorpions eat fireflies?
Never. Fireflies are toxic to scorpions and must never be offered.
How do I know if I'm overfeeding my emperor scorpion?
A visibly distended abdomen is the clearest sign to scale back. An abdomen that looks narrower than the carapace means it's fine to feed a bit more.
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🦂 How Much Does an Emperor Scorpion Really Cost?
🦂 Should You Handle an Emperor Scorpion? Rarely, and Carefully
🦂 Common Emperor Scorpion Health Issues and What Causes Them
🦂 Emperor Scorpion Enclosure Setup: Deep Substrate, High Humidity, No UVB
🕷️ 10 Surprising Emperor Scorpion Facts
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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