What Do Scorpions Eat and Drink? A Complete Feeding Guide

Hi seekers! If you’ve just brought home a pet scorpion, one of the first questions on your mind is probably: what do I feed this thing?

The good news is that scorpions are actually pretty simple to feed. They’re carnivorous, they eat live insects, and they don’t need to eat every day. But there are a few important rules to follow—and getting them right makes all the difference between a healthy, active scorpion and one that’s stressed or malnourished.

Let’s break it all down.

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What Do Scorpions Eat?

Scorpions are carnivores—they eat meat, and in captivity, that means live insects. They’re also opportunistic hunters, meaning they’ll eat whatever they can catch and overpower.

Common Feeder Insects for Pet Scorpions

Here are the most popular and readily available food options:

Food	Notes
Crickets	The most common staple food. Active enough to trigger hunting instincts.
Dubia roaches	Nutritious, less likely to bite your scorpion, and excellent staple.
Mealworms	Good treat, but not ideal as a sole diet due to high fat and low nutrition.
Superworms	Similar to mealworms—use as part of a varied diet.
Waxworms	High in fat—offer sparingly as a treat.
Cockroaches	Many species (like wood roaches) work well.

Prey Size Matters

This is crucial. The prey you offer should be no larger than the width of your scorpion’s pincers. A good rule of thumb is that the prey should be smaller than your scorpion’s body (excluding the tail).

Feeding prey that’s too large can stress your scorpion, make it difficult for them to catch, or even pose a danger.

What NOT to Feed

• Never feed wild-caught bugs. They can carry pesticides, parasites, or toxins.
• Avoid “people food.” No leftovers, no fruits, no vegetables.
• Avoid feeding other scorpions unless you’re keeping species that cannibalize—and even then, it’s risky.

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How Often Should You Feed Your Scorpion?

Scorpions don’t need to eat every day. In fact, overfeeding is a common mistake.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Age	Frequency
Juveniles	Every 2–3 days
Adults	Once a week (or once every 4–7 days)

Some sources say adults can be fed once a fortnight. It really depends on the species and the size of the meal.

A general guideline: Feed your adult scorpion about 3–6 large crickets per week (or the equivalent in other prey).

How Much to Feed

• Offer only as many insects as your scorpion can eat in one meal.
• If your scorpion eats everything quickly, you can offer a little more next time.
• Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. Leftover insects can stress your scorpion, bite them, or die and rot in the enclosure.

What If Your Scorpion Refuses to Eat?

This is normal from time to time. If your scorpion doesn’t eat, remove the food and wait a few days before trying again.

Scorpions can survive for weeks or even months without food as long as they have water. So don’t panic if they skip a meal—especially if they’re about to molt.

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What Do Scorpions Drink?

This is where a lot of new keepers get confused.

The short answer is: yes, scorpions need water. But how they get it depends on the species and their environment.

How Scorpions Get Water

Scorpions get moisture in three main ways:

1. From their prey – This is the primary way most scorpions stay hydrated. Well-hydrated feeder insects contribute meaningfully to your scorpion’s overall fluid intake.
2. From a water dish – Many keepers provide a shallow water dish.
3. From misting or humidity – Forest species absorb moisture from the air and substrate.

Do All Scorpions Need a Water Dish?

It depends on the species.

• Forest species (Emperor, Asian Forest): These come from humid environments and benefit from a water dish and regular misting.
• Desert species: They get most of their moisture from their prey and can survive arid conditions. Some keepers don’t provide a water dish for desert scorpions, relying instead on misting and humidity.

But here’s the thing: Even desert species need water. As one experienced keeper put it: “if you don’t give a scorpion water or moist spots, they will die”.

How to Provide Water Safely

Method	How to Do It
Shallow water dish	Use a small, shallow dish (like a bottle cap). Add small stones to prevent drowning.
Moist cotton ball	Soak a cotton wool ball in water and place it in the enclosure.
Misting	Mist the enclosure regularly (especially for forest species).
Moist substrate	Keep part of the substrate damp, especially for burrowing species.

Water Quality Matters

All water given to scorpions for drinking, as well as water used for misting, must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. Use dechlorinated water or bottled water.

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Gut-Loading: The Secret to a Healthy Scorpion

Here’s something many beginners overlook: you are what you eat.

If you feed your scorpion insects that are malnourished, your scorpion will be malnourished too. That’s why gut-loading is so important.

What Is Gut-Loading?

Gut-loading means feeding nutritious food to the insects before you offer them to your scorpion. This improves the nutritional value of the prey.

How to Gut-Load

• Feed your crickets, roaches, or mealworms a nutritious diet for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your scorpion.
• Good gut-loading foods include:
  • Dark leafy greens
  • Sweet potatoes and carrots
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Commercial gut-loading diets

Dusting with Supplements

Some keepers also dust their feeder insects with calcium and vitamin supplements before offering them to their scorpion. This is especially important for growing juveniles.

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Feeding Tips for Different Species

Emperor Scorpions

Emperor scorpions are the most popular pet species. They eat primarily crickets and roaches, but may occasionally enjoy a pinkie mouse (for adults only, and sparingly due to high fat content).

Desert Scorpions

Desert species are typically smaller and require less frequent feeding. They get most of their moisture from their prey and the humidity in their enclosure.

Bark Scorpions

These smaller scorpions may prefer smaller prey like pinhead crickets or small roaches.

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Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It’s Bad
Overfeeding	Leads to obesity and a shortened lifespan.
Underfeeding	Leads to weakness and illness.
Wrong prey size	Stress or injury for your scorpion.
Neglecting gut-loading	Nutritional deficiencies.
Leaving uneaten prey	Stresses scorpion, prey can bite back.
Feeding wild-caught insects	Pesticides, parasites, toxins.

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The Bottom Line

Feeding a pet scorpion is straightforward once you know the basics:

• What: Live insects like crickets, roaches, and mealworms
• How often: Juveniles every 2–3 days, adults once a week
• How much: As much as they’ll eat in one meal (remove leftovers within 24 hours)
• Water: Shallow dish, moist cotton ball, or regular misting (depending on species)
• Gut-load: Always feed your insects nutritious food before offering them to your scorpion

Scorpions are fascinating, low-maintenance pets—but they’re not “set it and forget it.” A little attention to their diet goes a long way in keeping them healthy, active, and happy for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

First Things First: Are Scorpions Good Pets?