Israeli whip spider (Charinus israelensis)

Short answers

Israeli whip spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

20×20×20 cm (small, vertical).

Israeli whip spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Israeli whip spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal / cave-dwelling).

Israeli whip spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: Unknown in captivity (no established captive data).

Israeli whip spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal / cave-dwelling)

Enclosure

Minimum size

20×20×20 cm (small, vertical)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, permanently damp

Feeding

Food

Small insects (fruit flies, small house crickets, firebrats)

Feeding interval

1×/week, for adults prey of about a quarter of their body size

Key facts

Adult size

Very small, body under 1 cm, leg span a few cm

Life expectancy

Unknown in captivity (no established captive data)

Origin

Israel – caves in Lower Galilee (Mimlach) and the southern Golan (Susita); endemic

Protection status

No known CITES or German protection; a wild cave endemic, effectively unavailable in the hobby; wild collection is locally problematic

Brumation

None (a cave climate, constant all year)

Cohabitation

A group is possible: the species is considered comparatively tolerant of conspecifics and has often been found only around 20 cm apart in the wild; however, gravid females can fight, so provide enough retreat crevices per animal. Solid hobby experience is still lacking.

Notes

Taxonomy: today usually listed as Sarax israelensis (Miranda et al. 2016). A cave species with reduced eyes; practically absent from the terrarium trade. The figures are derived from the specialist literature (the original description) and are NOT established husbandry values – an uncertain species.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• African whip spider (Euphrynichus amanica) – Beginner to intermediate
• Amazonian whip spider (Heterophrynus elaphus) – Intermediate
• Tailless whip scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus) – Intermediate
• Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) – Intermediate
• Small whip spider (Phrynus parvulus) – Intermediate
• Mexican whip spider (Acanthophrynus coronatus) – Intermediate
• East African whip spider (Damon variegatus) – Intermediate
• Tanzanian whip spider (Damon diadema) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Israeli whip spider (Charinus israelensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (20×20×20 cm (small, vertical)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, permanently damp), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.