Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii)

Short answers

Johnston's whip spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm (height).

Johnston's whip spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Johnston's whip spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Johnston's whip spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Johnston's whip spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–29 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm (height)

Substrate

Damp coco humus, vertical cork bark

Feeding

Food

House crickets, small roaches

Feeding interval

every 7–10 days

Key facts

Adult size

body 3–4 cm, leg span up to 20 cm

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Westafrika bis Zentralafrika (Kamerun, Nigeria, Gabun, Äquatorialguinea, Kongo)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is the safest and least stressful solution. Groups are possible but not guaranteed: communal keeping sometimes works in Damon species, but then only with a great deal of space, many hides and plenty of food; with a food shortage cannibalism is a risk, especially among adults.

Notes

Like the other Damon species, peaceful and easy to keep in groups – the young stay with their mother for a long time. It needs vertical surfaces and high humidity.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• East African whip spider (Damon variegatus) – Intermediate
• Tanzanian whip spider (Damon diadema) – Beginner
• Tanzanian whip spider (Damon medius) – Beginner
• African whip spider (Euphrynichus amanica) – Beginner to intermediate
• Amazonian whip spider (Heterophrynus elaphus) – Intermediate
• Tailless whip scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus) – Intermediate
• Israeli whip spider (Charinus israelensis) – Expert
• Small whip spider (Phrynus parvulus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (height)), substrate (Damp coco humus, vertical cork bark), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.