Tanzanian whip spider (Damon medius)

Short answers

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

30×30×40 cm (a single animal), larger for groups; vertical with a cork back wall.

Tanzanian whip spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–28 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Tanzanian whip spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Tanzanian whip spider: How long do they live?

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

Tanzanian whip spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×40 cm (a single animal), larger for groups; vertical with a cork back wall

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, permanently damp; crevices and vertical hides

Feeding

Food

House crickets or crickets and roaches, matched to the animal's size

Feeding interval

1–2×/week (adults), juveniles somewhat more often

Key facts

Adult size

body approx. 2 cm, leg span up to approx. 20 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years (females longer)

Origin

Tropical East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) – caves, under bark, in crevices

Protection status

No known CITES or German protection; freely tradable

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible – peaceful towards its own kind (an exception among arachnids); the conditions are plenty of space, hides and enough food; among the males, though, rank fights are more common → separate them if needed

Notes

Extremely light-shy and strictly nocturnal. Non-venomous, without fangs or silk glands, and harmless. Offer cuttlebone or calcium and a shallow water dish. Moulting needs height.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Johnston's whip spider (Damon johnstonii) – Intermediate
• East African whip spider (Damon variegatus) – Intermediate
• Tanzanian whip spider (Damon diadema) – 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 Tanzanian whip spider (Damon medius) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 cm (a single animal), larger for groups; vertical with a cork back wall), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, permanently damp; crevices and 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.