Flat rock scorpion (Hadogenes troglodytes)

Short answers

Flat rock scorpion: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From ~30×30×20 cm (a single animal); flat, with an extensive rock structure.

Flat rock scorpion: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–32 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Flat rock scorpion: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal); avoid bright light.

Flat rock scorpion: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: Up to ~25–30 years (the longest-lived scorpion species); sexual maturity only at 8–10 years.

Flat rock scorpion: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

40–60 % (mostly dry)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal); avoid bright light

Enclosure

Minimum size

from ~30×30×20 cm (a single animal); flat, with an extensive rock structure

Substrate

A shallow layer of dry sand or soil plus stacked stone slabs (slate) with narrow crevices; good ventilation

Feeding

Food

Live insects: house crickets, crickets, roaches, mealworms, locusts

Feeding interval

Adults 1×/week to every 2 weeks; juveniles 2–3×/week; remove leftovers

Key facts

Adult size

Up to ~20–21 cm (males); elongated and very flat

Life expectancy

Up to ~25–30 years (the longest-lived scorpion species); sexual maturity only at 8–10 years

Origin

Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana)

Protection status

No CITES; may be kept freely.

Brumation

None.

Cohabitation

Keep singly – strictly solitary and cannibalistic, tolerates no conspecifics; Wikipedia describes it as highly territorial, fighting to the death if housed together. Never house males together.

Notes

Very slow-growing and extremely long-lived – barely bred in captivity, and imports are usually wild-caught. It needs rock crevices rather than digging substrate. Too high a humidity or poor ventilation → fungal infection (the main mistake; an early source gave 70 %, reputable care sheets 40–60 %). Low in venom and very peaceable, but no touching. Unsuitable for breeding because of how slowly it grows.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Flat rock scorpion (Hadogenes troglodytes) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Asian giant forest scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus) – Beginner
• Asian black scorpion (Heterometrus petersii) – Beginner
• Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer) – Intermediate
• Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) – Expert
• Dictator scorpion (Pandinus dictator) – Intermediate
• Italian scorpion (Euscorpius italicus) – Beginner
• Yellow-legged burrowing scorpion (Opistophthalmus glabrifrons) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Flat rock scorpion (Hadogenes troglodytes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from ~30×30×20 cm (a single animal); flat, with an extensive rock structure), substrate (A shallow layer of dry sand or soil plus stacked stone slabs (slate) with narrow crevices; good ventilation), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.