Yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis)

Short answers

Yellow fat-tailed scorpion: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×30×30 cm (kept singly).

Yellow fat-tailed scorpion: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C, at night 20–25 °C.

Yellow fat-tailed scorpion: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal, digs itself in).

Yellow fat-tailed scorpion: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–7 years.

Yellow fat-tailed scorpion: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C

Night temperature

20–25 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

30–50 % (arid, dry)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal, digs itself in)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×30 cm (kept singly)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, 5–10 cm

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, small locusts

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 8-10 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 5–7 years

Origin

North Africa / the Sahara, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no registration or proof requirement

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep strictly singly: aggressive and cannibalistic; never house males together. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

VENOMOUS – one of the strongest scorpion venoms worldwide, and life-threatening to humans. Only for experienced keepers with safe handling (forceps, no hand contact) and an escape-proof terrarium. A dry, hot desert climate with good ventilation. Only adults, and secure hides.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Black fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) – Expert
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×30 cm (kept singly)), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, 5–10 cm), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.