Florida Tailless Whip Scorpion

Phrynus marginemaculatus

Whip spiderbeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

No venom, no sting

Whip spiders (amblypygids) are completely harmless to humans. They're fast and can deliver a harmless pinch with their pedipalps, but have no venom and no sting.

About

A small, US-native whip spider and an excellent first amblypygid — easy to house, breeds readily, and tolerant of communal keeping. Stays small, so a modest vertical enclosure works. Whip spiders have no venom and no sting and are harmless to humans; they are fast and may startle, but cannot hurt you.

Taxonomy

FamilyPhrynidae

GenusPhrynus

Native regionFlorida (USA), Caribbean

TypeArboreal

Temperamentshy, fast

Size & growth

Adult size2-3 inch legspan

Leg span40.00–70.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature72–84 °F

Humidity65–80%

Enclosure

Sling size4x4x4 inches

Juvenile size5x5x6 inches

Adult size6x6x8 inches

Substratecoco fiber, lightly moist

Substrate depth1-2 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizesmall crickets, flightless fruit flies, pinhead roaches

Sling cadence2-3 small prey per week

Juvenile cadence2 prey per week

Adult cadence2 prey per week

Times kept: 1 · Unverified community entry