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Phrynichidae

West African tailless whip spider

Damon medius
BeginnerNocturnal · sleeping nowHuman-verified sheet
14:00
Day

Drag the sun. West African tailless whip spider is nocturnal, so what it is doing changes with the light.

Temperature

24–28°Ambient

One ambient band, 24–28°C. This sheet states no warm side, no cool side and no night figure, so none are shown.

Humidity

75–85%Target RH
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The numbers

Enclosure
30 × 30 × 45 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches · 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
Common amblypygid in the hobby
Adult size
Body ~4-5 cm; leg-span to ~15-18 cm
Lifespan
5-10 years
Growth rate
Slow-medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal vertical-surface ambush hunter
Temperament
Shy, skittish; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless — NO venom and no sting; grabbing pedipalps only
Price (THB)
700-1,600 (indicative import)

Enclosure and conditions

Temperature
24-28°C
Humidity
75-85%
Min. enclosure
30x30x45 cm TALL for one adult
Substrate
5 cm moist coco; vertical cork essential
Hides / decor / water
Tall cork bark, vertical surfaces, water dish; misting

Diet

Staple food
Crickets, roaches
Feeding frequency
1-3 items weekly
Supplements
Not required

Behaviour and handling

Handling
Harmless; fragile legs — minimal gentle handling
Communal
Communal-tolerant with height and food; known maternal/sibling care
Defense / stress signs
Fast sideways scuttle, dropping, hiding flat

Reproduction

Reproduction
Oviparous — egg sac under abdomen; hatchlings ride the mother's back

Common health problems

Common health issues
SignsMismolt without height/humidity; leg loss
Red flags / quarantine
SignsEnsure vertical space pre-molt; reject stuck-leg specimens; QT wild-caught

Good to know

  • Communicates with its young and siblings by gentle touches of its antenniform front legs

Others in this group

Sources