Vietnamese Asian Forest Scorpion for sale from Big Z's (Heterometrus silenus). Spice-rated keeper notes, care guidance, and live-arrival packing where eligible.
The biggest, blackest scorpion in the tank, and a total pushover
Heterometrus silenus, the Vietnamese Asian Forest Scorpion, is a heavy-bodied tropical burrower from Vietnam and neighboring parts of Southeast Asia. Picture glossy black armor and broad, crushing pincers on a body that pushes past 4 inches. Those claws are the real weapon here, built for gripping and crushing rather than a dangerous sting. Once confused in the trade with H. petersii, this is the classic big forest scorpion done right.
All that menace comes wrapped in a calm temperament and a mild, bee-sting venom, which makes it a beginner-friendly large scorpion once you get past the intimidating size. Care is straightforward: humid substrate deep enough to burrow, plus tropical warmth. It fits an intermediate keeper who wants presence without real danger, but it is a display animal, not a handling one. The care guide has the full build and the boundaries.
The numbers live in the care guide. Enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, premolt signs, handling boundaries: it's all in the care guide for this exact fella. Start with the full Advanced guide, or click for the quick Open the Simple version →
Scorpion
Vietnamese Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus silenus) care guide Read shipping & LAG
Vietnamese Asian Forest Scorpion for sale from Big Z's (Heterometrus silenus). Spice-rated keeper notes, care guidance, and live-arrival packing where eligible.
The biggest, blackest scorpion in the tank, and a total pushover
Heterometrus silenus, the Vietnamese Asian Forest Scorpion, is a heavy-bodied tropical burrower from Vietnam and neighboring parts of Southeast Asia. Picture glossy black armor and broad, crushing pincers on a body that pushes past 4 inches. Those claws are the real weapon here, built for gripping and crushing rather than a dangerous sting. Once confused in the trade with H. petersii, this is the classic big forest scorpion done right.
All that menace comes wrapped in a calm temperament and a mild, bee-sting venom, which makes it a beginner-friendly large scorpion once you get past the intimidating size. Care is straightforward: humid substrate deep enough to burrow, plus tropical warmth. It fits an intermediate keeper who wants presence without real danger, but it is a display animal, not a handling one. The care guide has the full build and the boundaries.
The numbers live in the care guide. Enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, premolt signs, handling boundaries: it's all in the care guide for this exact fella. Start with the full Advanced guide, or click for the quick Open the Simple version →
Heterometrus silenus - Spice 3: Intermediate. Larger tropical terrestrial setup for a 4-5 in adult, with 4-6 in of burrowable substrate; Burrow Buddy: juvenile grow-out only; move the animal once space or substrate depth becomes limiting; Baby Buddy: small instars only, with escape-proof ventilation
Heterometrus silenus
Big Z's Quick Verdict: A large, heavy-bodied tropical forest burrower with powerful pincers and defensive potential. Give this wild-caught adult deep moisture-retentive substrate, a secure retreat, water, and good ventilation; display-only and single housing are safest.
| Temp | 75-82°F working target; stable tropical room warmth without direct sun or unregulated heat |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-80% working target with cross ventilation; deep substrate moist, upper surface allowed to dry slightly |
| Setup | Tropical burrowing terrestrial |
| Substrate | 4-6 in of moisture-retentive soil/coco mix that holds a burrow, topped with leaf litter and cork cover |
| Feeding | Appropriately sized cultured crickets or roaches every 7-14 days; remove uneaten prey before a molt |
| Handling | No handling. Powerful claws can pinch and a defensive animal may sting. |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
Current Big Z's catalog: Yes
Heterometrus silenus
Keeper Snapshot: A large, heavy-bodied tropical forest burrower with powerful pincers and defensive potential. Give this wild-caught adult deep moisture-retentive substrate, a secure retreat, water, and good ventilation; display-only and single housing are safest.
| Temperature | 75-82°F working target; stable tropical room warmth without direct sun or unregulated heat |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-80% working target with cross ventilation; deep substrate moist, upper surface allowed to dry slightly |
| Setup Type | Tropical burrowing terrestrial |
| Substrate | 4-6 in of moisture-retentive soil/coco mix that holds a burrow, topped with leaf litter and cork cover |
| Feeding | Appropriately sized cultured crickets or roaches every 7-14 days; remove uneaten prey before a molt |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 3: Intermediate |
| Handling | No handling. Powerful claws can pinch and a defensive animal may sting. |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
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