Most specimens collected for the pet trade are collected in Togo and Ghana . Due to years of potential over-collection , P. imperator has been placed on the C.I.T.E.S. II list to monitor their populations . Presently , they can still be imported with the proper permits , but that could change if export numbers drastically decline in number , indicating a possible adverse effect from over-collecting . The substrate should be three to six inches deep to allow for extensive burrowing . This habitat is great for planting various plants with low light requirements like ferns .
Live plants help keep the humidity high and add an additional aesthetic value to the whole set up .
Without proper humidity , the young will likely fail to molt properly and die , or at least suffer a disabling injury . The temperature range should be 70-90 F with an occasional increase to 100 F . Reports from other collectors suggest that an increase to 100 F for a week or so during the daytime may stimulate the female to give birth . My specimens always seem to give birth during the first heat wave of spring or summer . This species can usually be kept in groups if the terrarium is large enough .