The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 20 × 20 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, worms · 1-2 items weekly
Temperature
25-30°C
Humidity
60-75% (damp burrow, drier surface)
Identity
Order / Family
Thelyphonida (Uropygi)
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Popular hardy 'oddball' invert
Adult size
Body 4-8 cm plus whip tail (flagellum)
Lifespan
4-7 years
Growth rate
Slow-medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal ground-dwelling burrower; hunts with heavy pedipalps
Temperament
Docile, slow; may pinch or spray if grabbed
Venom / defense
Harmless — NO venom; sprays acetic-acid ('vinegar') mist from tail base if provoked (avoid eyes)
Price (THB)
700-1,500 (indicative import)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-30°C
Humidity
60-75% (damp burrow, drier surface)
Min. enclosure
30x20x20 cm for one adult
Substrate
8-12 cm coco/soil/sand, part-moist, burrowable
Hides / decor / water
Cork/bark hide, water dish
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, worms
Feeding frequency
1-2 items weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Harmless (no venom) but may spray vinegar — keep away from eyes; gentle only
Communal
Usually solitary; can pair for breeding with care
Defense / stress signs
Raises abdomen/tail to aim spray, opens pedipalps, burrows
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — female seals in a burrow, carries egg sac then young on her back; she often dies after
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismolt if too dry; dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQT wild-caught; provide humid burrow; handle over soft surface
Good to know
- The 'vinegaroon' spray is ~85% acetic acid — it literally smells of vinegar
Others in this group
Regal jumping spiderPhidippus regiusTanzanian giant tailless whip spiderDamon diademaWest African tailless whip spiderDamon mediusSouthern black widowLatrodectus mactansBold jumping spiderPhidippus audaxWestern black widowLatrodectus hesperusPantropical huntsman spiderHeteropoda venatoriaDwarf / spotted tailless whip spiderPhrynus marginemaculatus