Mexican whip spider (Acanthophrynus coronatus)

Short answers

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

40×40×60 cm (large and tall – one of the largest species).

Mexican whip spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Mexican whip spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Mexican whip spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 7 years.

Mexican whip spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 % (tolerates drier air briefly; damp substrate)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×60 cm (large and tall – one of the largest species)

Substrate

Coco humus or soil, 5–10 cm, moisture-retaining

Feeding

Food

Large crickets, roaches, locusts; matched to their size

Feeding interval

1×/week for adults; juveniles somewhat more often

Key facts

Adult size

leg span up to approx. 18 cm, body up to approx. 4 cm wide (a giant species)

Life expectancy

approx. 7 years

Origin

Mexico (Jalisco, Baja California among others), drier forests

Protection status

No known CITES or German protection; freely tradable

Brumation

None (tropical / subtropical)

Cohabitation

Keep it singly. The species is large and predatory; it is best kept alone. Only siblings from the same egg sac get along. A pair can be together for a few days, but this is risky, so only briefly and supervised; never keep males together.

Notes

The largest whip spider of the New World. An escape artist – a securely closing lid is essential. Non-venomous, without silk glands. Moulting needs plenty of free height. Nocturnal, and in its hide by day.

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
• Israeli whip spider (Charinus israelensis) – Expert
• Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) – Intermediate
• Small whip spider (Phrynus parvulus) – 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 Mexican whip spider (Acanthophrynus coronatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×60 cm (large and tall – one of the largest species)), substrate (Coco humus or soil, 5–10 cm, moisture-retaining), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.