Chinese Vinegaroon

Typopeltis guangxiensis

VinegaroonintermediateHarmless

No venom, no sting

Vinegaroons are harmless to humans — no venom and no sting. If threatened they can spray a fine acetic-acid mist (it smells like vinegar) and give a firm pinch, but neither is dangerous. Avoid getting the spray in your eyes.

About

An Asian vinegaroon that, like all whip scorpions, has no venom — it defends by spraying a fine vinegar-smelling mist of acetic acid from the base of its whip-like tail. Strictly nocturnal and shy of light, it burrows deeply, so give it 4-6 inches of moist substrate, hides, and a dark, humid (70-85%) enclosure with a water dish. A fascinating, harmless display animal; house individually.

Taxonomy

FamilyThelyphonidae

GenusTypopeltis

Native regionSouthern China and Southeast Asia

TypeFossorial

Temperamentstrictly nocturnal; secretive deep burrower; sprays acetic acid

Size & growth

Adult size2.5-3 inches

Length50.00–75.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature70–82 °F

Humidity70–85%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate

Substratedeep moist peat/coco for deep burrows; cork/rock hides; keep dark; water dish

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1 prey per week

Times kept: 0