Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion, Mastigoproctus giganteus

Do Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions make good pets?

The Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion is a unique-looking animal, with two extremely long front legs, two large pedipalps modified into crushing claws and a long, whip-like tail which gives this group of animals their name. They are a gentle and docile species that can be handled, although we recommend keeping handling to a minimum as they are very delicate.

At Swell Reptiles, all of our Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions are captive bred in the UK, meaning you can rest assured your new pet came from a reliable source, with minimal negative impacts on their native environment.

What size enclosure does a Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion need?

We recommend a minimum enclosure size of around 45 x 45 x 30cm for a Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion, which will allow them enough space to move around and explore their environment. This can either be a glass enclosure, such as the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium 45x45x30cm, or a similarly sized plastic box, such as this Komodo Plastic Terrarium.

Do Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions need to be heated?

Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions prefer a warm area of around 26°C (78°F) and a cool end sitting closer to 22°C (71°F). In most homes, this can be achieved without much extra help, but you may need to provide a little supplementary heating in the form of a heat mat and an on/off thermostat stuck up the side or back of the terrarium.

How do I decorate a Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion terrarium?

Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions like to burrow into their substrate, seeking out more humid areas in the deeper layers. We recommend a deep layer of moisture-retaining substrate such as coco soil. On top of the substrate, your Vinegaroon will be happy with some hiding areas, either using reptile caves or pieces of wood and a shallow water dish. You may also wish to add some foliage in the form of real or artificial plants, but this is not a necessity.

What do Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions eat?

Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions are insectivores, so should be fed on a diet solely made up of livefoods. Variety is key, and it is good to alternate between different livefoods, such as crickets, locusts, cockroaches and mealworms. It is important to remove any uneaten livefood after a few hours, as some can bite, and risk injury to your invertebrate, particularly during the moulting process.

How do I buy a Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpion?

If you would like to purchase one of our UK captive bred Giant vinegaroon whiptail scorpions, please come into our store and see us, bringing with you some images of your complete set-up.

We will ask a few quick questions and also to see your set-up images, to ensure that all livestock passing through Swell Reptiles go to the best homes possible. We reserve the right to refuse adoption to anyone we feel is unprepared to adopt.