Specialized Care for All Creatures

At Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA), we believe that every animal—no matter its size, species or age—deserves the highest standard of care. Our Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine teams’ recent work with Vader, a 10-year-old emperor scorpion, is a testament to this philosophy. Thanks to collaborative care, innovative treatment methods, and the dedication of our expert teams, Vader has made a full recovery. She continues to thrive at DZCA, well beyond the typical lifespan of her species.

Meet Vader: Small Ambassador, Big Impact

Vader, an emperor scorpion who has called DZCA home for 10 years, is a beloved member of our Animal Ambassador program. For over a decade, she has inspired guests of all ages, showcasing the important role scorpions play in healthy ecosystems and helping dispel common misconceptions about these fascinating arachnids. One of the coolest facts about Vader, like all scorpions, is that she glows under ultraviolet (UV) light thanks to a special compound in her exoskeleton. Scientists are still exploring why scorpions fluoresce, but theories include camouflage, communication, and sun protection.

In human care, emperor scorpions typically live between five and eight years. But thanks to the specialized care she receives at DZCA, Vader is thriving well beyond that average life expectancy at 10 years old.

Collaborative Care

A few months ago, Vader’s Animal Care team noticed her abdomen was swollen. As a geriatric scorpion, Vader needed special attention to determine the root cause of her condition. Our Veterinary team anesthetized Vader in our state-of-the-art Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital for a full physical exam and hemolymph (blood) collection.

Through blood chemistry and culture testing and collaborating with our colleagues at the Butterfly Pavilion, we confirmed that Vader had a bacterial infection in her bloodstream. This condition is known as septicemia which can be life-threatening for invertebrates like scorpions.

Transformative Treatment

After being diagnosed, Vader received topical antibiotics daily for two weeks, a custom enema, and detailed husbandry adjustments by her animal care specialists. To reduce handling stress, our team even designed innovative, low-stress restraints to administer her treatments safely and effectively.

Clinical Veterinarian, Dr. Spencer Kehoe, DVM, DZCAM, reflected on this innovative care:

“Vader’s case was unique and transformative, and you’d be hard pressed to find examples of other scorpions receiving that level of care and support. We innovated low-stress restraint methods and tools to allow daily administration of treatments, which we look forward to sharing with other institutions. We hope this helps advance treatment options for scorpions elsewhere and in the future. I think her case highlights how DZCA as an organization values all creatures great and small, and we are willing to provide whatever is needed to maximize the welfare of the animals under our care. It also highlights the “village” that came together to help Vader, from her animal care specialists & veterinary team at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, to the keepers at Butterfly Pavilion.”

Vader’s story is a great reminder of the compassion and innovation that drives everything we do at DZCA. We’re proud to invest in the highest quality care for all animals, regardless of their size or species. Whether it’s an emperor scorpion or a French angelfish receiving a CT scan, our dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine teams work together to ensure every animal receives expert, compassionate care tailored to their unique needs.