Tailless whip scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus)

Short answers

Tailless whip scorpion: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Tall and vertical, from approx. 20×20×30 cm for one animal; a mesh lid and vertical cork bark for climbing and shedding.

Tailless whip scorpion: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Tailless whip scorpion: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Tailless whip scorpion: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–10 years (females longer than males).

Tailless whip scorpion: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

tall and vertical, from approx. 20×20×30 cm for one animal; a mesh lid and vertical cork bark for climbing and shedding

Substrate

3–5 cm of damp coco or soil humus (it holds moisture); cork and bark surfaces as vertical hides

Feeding

Food

Small insects (crickets, roaches, flies) matched to their body size

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

body approx. 1.5–1.8 cm; reach of the antenniform legs up to ~10 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 5–10 years (females longer than males)

Origin

Southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola

Protection status

Not protected (no CITES, no German Federal Nature Conservation Act listing)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

AN EXCEPTION among invertebrates: one of the few socially tolerant whip spiders – group keeping with a low rate of cannibalism is possible (documented mother and sibling bonds, research by Rayor at Cornell). The conditions: plenty of space, many vertical hides and bark surfaces, and enough food; separate them if aggression appears. Do not mix them with other species.

Notes

Nocturnal, non-venomous, and with no dangerous mouthparts; the long feeler legs are sense organs, not weapons. It moults hanging upside down – sufficient height is vital. Keep the humidity high, but avoid waterlogging and mould through ventilation. Considered one of the easiest Amblypygi species to breed.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Small whip spider (Phrynus parvulus) – Intermediate
• African whip spider (Euphrynichus amanica) – Beginner to intermediate
• Amazonian whip spider (Heterophrynus elaphus) – Intermediate
• Israeli whip spider (Charinus israelensis) – Expert
• Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) – 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 Tailless whip scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (tall and vertical, from approx. 20×20×30 cm for one animal; a mesh lid and vertical cork bark for climbing and shedding), substrate (3–5 cm of damp coco or soil humus (it holds moisture); cork and bark surfaces as vertical hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.