The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 45 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, the occasional moth · 1-3 items weekly
Temperature
24-28°C
Humidity
75-85%
Identity
Order / Family
Amblypygi
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
The most popular amblypygid in the hobby
Adult size
Body ~4-6 cm; leg-span to ~20 cm with whip legs
Lifespan
Up to 10-20 years
Growth rate
Slow-medium (many molts)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal; hangs flat on vertical bark/rock, hunts with raptorial pedipalps
Temperament
Shy, skittish; flees, never aggressive
Venom / defense
Harmless — NO venom and no sting; only spiny pedipalps for grabbing prey
Price (THB)
600-1,500 (indicative import)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24-28°C
Humidity
75-85%
Min. enclosure
30x30x45 cm TALL for one adult (vertical space essential)
Substrate
5 cm moist coco; the key is vertical cork/bark
Hides / decor / water
Tall cork bark slabs, wide vertical surfaces, water dish; misting
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, the occasional moth
Feeding frequency
1-3 items weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Harmless; can walk on hands but legs are fragile — minimal, gentle handling only
Communal
Can be communal — one of few social arachnids; mothers guard young
Defense / stress signs
Rapid sideways scuttling, dropping, hiding flat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — eggs carried under abdomen in a sac; young ride mother's back after hatching
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFatal mismolt if not enough height/humidity; lost legs (regenerate over molts)
Red flags / quarantine
SignsReject specimens with curled/stuck legs; ensure tall enclosure before molt; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Featured as a 'Triwizard' creature in Harry Potter; utterly harmless despite the look
Others in this group
Regal jumping spiderPhidippus regiusGiant vinegaroon / whip scorpionMastigoproctus giganteusWest African tailless whip spiderDamon mediusSouthern black widowLatrodectus mactansBold jumping spiderPhidippus audaxWestern black widowLatrodectus hesperusPantropical huntsman spiderHeteropoda venatoriaDwarf / spotted tailless whip spiderPhrynus marginemaculatus