Update on the Emperor babies again

youth and their energy,i forgot about that.

They are so cool when they are small...and when they get big too come to think of it - lol. beautiful set up and babies Monica!!! Looks like you are doing an amazing job with them :salute:

yes a beautiful set up it is.
good job :gj:

i could never own a scorpion...dont they sting and arent they poisonous...im not sure just asking...but 2 things i could never own are spiders and scorpions...they are cool though just not my cup of tea.

They could if they wanted or if you make a dumb handling mistake but this species is generally very unlikely to use it. They are more likely to use the claws as a first defense but if they feel truly threatened they will use the stinger. It's usually reserved for killing larger prey items like other venomous or poisonous insects like large centipedes, small rodents, etc. Or if something grabs or tries to eat them.

If you were to just pick one up by cupping your hand over it, of course it would probably sting.

Strangely, most will lay their tail down to the side on the ground to protect it if they are being threatened from the front. I've seen my adults do this. This is to protect it since it is their only true defense. I believe this may have something to do with other animals in Africa that prey on them that know exactly how to go for the tail first and bite the stinger off like the mongoose and meerkat.

If you just lay your hand flat in front of them, or even a small plastic storage bowl, and use something to guide them toward it, they climb onto your hand, or into the bowl, then transfer them to your hand. They will never just sting or pinch for no reason while just walking on your hand moving from hand to hand.

As for the venom. The African Emperors, while being the largest, also have the weakest venom. If stung, it is no worse than being stung by a honey bee. I have heard if you are allergic to bee stings, you may have the same type of reaction, but otherwise, they are not dangerous. On the contrary, they are very docile and fascinating. You just have to know how to get them out of their enclosure and handle them is all.

Of course the babies are a bit more flighty and defensive but all babies are lol!