I have a hard time figuring out how big scorpions are when people say instar. I understand the term, I just dont see the size.

1st instar is how big?
2nd instar is how big?

And so on?

When do you start saying they are "this many inches"?

Thanks! Kim

Depends on the species of the scorpion...
For emperors
1 instar = approx 1 - 2.5 cm
2 instar = approx 2 - 3 cm
3 instar = approx 3 - 4.5 cm

I don't know the ones in between, but the last one is..

6 instar = Anywhere between 10 - 20 cm (excluding anomalies)


Hope this helps, but as i said it is totally dependant on the species of scorpion.

Euscorpius flavicaudis 1st instar is about the same size as the head of a match.
I did used to have a picture of one on a match head but I lost it, Im sure Lisa will remember it

Instar hasnt really got any real relevance to size, instar simply means what molt the scorpion is on, where when they are born they are considered 1 instar, after first molt 2 instar, and so on and so on.

Some scorpion can eat more than others or at least be fed more and will grow quicker. also a 1 instar Euscorpius flavicaudis will be a dramatically different size from a 1 instar Pandinus imperator. So if you want to know the size of a specific specimin you will have to ask regardless of instar

they were sooooo dinky! And I have an E.carpathicus about to drop and they are half the size of flavicaudis!

So basically the size of instar really does depend on the species of scorpion!

hahaha beat me to it leon!

The explanation about instars has been pretty well covered, but to answer your last question . . . generally, overall size is useful if

A) it's an adult
B) the instar is unknown
C) in sales posts, where it gives the customer an idea of what they're buying