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Peters' Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus petersii)

Heterometrus petersii

The Heterometrus petersii, the massive 'Peters' Forest Scorpion'. It is another Asian giant very common in the trade, often sold interchangeably with the H. spinifer due to the strong resemblance. It is slightly stockier and more compact than the spinifer (3.9-5.5 inches), characterized by a shiny Black or very Dark Brown coloration and a smooth carapace. Shares the enormous claws and harmless venom, resulting in a perfect scorpion for beginners. Compared to the spinifer, it can tolerate a slightly wider range of humidity and temperature, making it if possible even more 'bulletproof' for neophytes. Requires deep substrates and cramped hiding places.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Scorpiones
Family:Scorpionidae
Subfamily:Heterometrinae
Genus:Heterometrus
Species:Heterometrus petersii

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

75 - 85 %

Day temperature

26 - 30 °C

Night temperature

22 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The cited phylogenetic discussion concerns material from Penang and Singapore assessed against the Singapore holotype; it does not establish a complete ecological range.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The study treats Heterometrus petersii as a cryptic species after analysing material assessed as conspecific with the Singapore holotype.
Behaviour and Habits: No species-specific behaviour is measured in this source.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The study reports morphological indistinguishability from compared H. spinifer material in the stated analysis; it is not an identification guide for individual captive specimens.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: The cited phylogenetic study resolves species identity; it does not test enclosure dimensions, substrate, or furnishing. No husbandry setting is inferred from taxonomy.
Lighting and Heating: No temperature, lighting, or heating range is reported for captive care.
Humidity and Hydration: No captive humidity or hydration parameter is reported.
Feeding and Supplementation: The study does not test a captive diet.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: It does not evaluate cohabitation. Because the paper identifies H. petersii as cryptic relative to morphologically indistinguishable material, identification should be verified before applying species-specific husbandry claims.
Health and Common Diseases: The source is not a veterinary or health study.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Sud-est Asiatico (Foreste umide e margini agricoli in Vietnam, Laos, Cambogia, Filippine).

Origin

South and Southeast Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
12.5 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 12.5 cm. The Couzijn — revision of Heterometrus source reports a maximum adult measurement of 12.5 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Heterometrus petersii. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Asian Forest Scorpion

Asian Forest Scorpion

Heterometrus spinifer

Red Claw Scorpion (Pandinus cavimanus)

Red Claw Scorpion (Pandinus cavimanus)

Pandinoides cavimanus

Emperor Scorpion

Emperor Scorpion

Pandinus imperator

Large-clawed Scorpion (Scorpio maurus)

Large-clawed Scorpion (Scorpio maurus)

Scorpio maurus

Recommended companions

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Amphibian

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Hyperolius nasutus

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Dendropsophus leucophyllatus

Edible Bullfrog
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Edible Bullfrog

Pyxicephalus edulis

Brown Tomato Frog
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Brown Tomato Frog

Dyscophus insularis

Similar care

Cards with similar requirements, difficulty, habitat, and husbandry profile.

Asian Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonus doriae)

Asian Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonus doriae)

Thelyphonus doriae

Papaya Pink Isopod (Cubaris murina 'Papaya')

Papaya Pink Isopod (Cubaris murina 'Papaya')

Cubaris murina 'Papaya'

Rustic Asian Isopod (Cubaris murina)

Rustic Asian Isopod (Cubaris murina)

Cubaris murina

Rustic Asian Isopod (Cubaris murina) (Jupiter)

Rustic Asian Isopod (Cubaris murina) (Jupiter)

Cubaris murina "Jupiter"

Last updated: 08/10/2026
Peters' Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus petersii) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium