Cupid says he doesn't like being held very much, and so, I don't really hold him.  Guess it stresses him out.  He said to me me, "How scared would you be if a 60 foot tall scorpion picked you up?  That's how scared we are when a person picks us up."  Guess that would be true.

If you insist on holding you scorpion, I don't really blame you.  We're human, we like to do such things.  Keep in mind, while Emperor Scorpions are fairly docile compared to other scorpions, they can sting you if provoked.  They are more likely to just pinch you.  That pinch can draw blood if they so cared to.

The sting of a scorpion has been likened to an electric shock or a bee sting.  I've had both and don't care to find out if they compare.  Emperor stings are venomous, as all scorpion stings are.  However, they generally are not harmful to humans.  But neither are bee stings, right?  If you are allergic to bees, it is not recommended you handle any scorpion.  If you've never been stung by either of them and you don't know if you're allergic, you don't want to find out the hard way.

If you must handle your scorpion, there are 2 ways to do so:

1. Pick up gently behind stinger with fingers or foam-tipped tweezers and place onto the palm of your other hand.  Be known that this can stress the scorpion because it's being picked up by its tail.  The scorpion can bend and twist around and pinch you, so don't be surprised if this happens.
2. This is method is much less stressful.  Lay your hand out in front of the scorpion and let it crawl onto it.  Yes, this puts you into a vulnerable position, but if it doesn't want to be picked up, it won't crawl onto your hand.

Some other things to remember.  When it's finally in your hand, you don't have to worry too much about it stinging you.  When have you ever seen your scorpion sting the ground?  That's all your hand is to it.