[8] Currently, 4 species are recognized within this genus:[9] Members of Pandinus are generally large scorpions (about 120–200 mm total length), which are dark to black colored, sometimes with paler metasoma and legs.

Genera of the subfamily Scorpioninae are extremely similar to each other and Pandinus is especially close to the Southeast Asian genus Heterometrus.

[10] Two species of Pandinus (P. imperator, and P. gambiensis) are the only scorpions listed by the CITES Appendix II since 1995, due to overexploitation for pet trade from the wild.

[12] CITES export quotas have been issued for P. imperator by several countries in West Africa (including Benin, Togo, Niger, and Chad).

[12] The CITES listing has been conceptually criticized[10] for protecting two species, of which only one (P. imperator) is frequently exported for international pet trade.

[13] The large size, its docile and gregarious behaviour, partly diurnal activity and mild venom make P. imperator the most popular pet scorpion.