Cuban Cave Whip Spider

Charinus acosta

Whip spiderintermediateHarmlessCommunal 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 tiny cave-dwelling whip spider from Cuba — and notably PARTHENOGENETIC (only females are known), so a single specimen can found a colony, and groups can be kept together. Completely harmless (no venom, no sting). High humidity (75-90%) with good airflow is the make-or-break parameter, as with all amblypygids; provide vertical cork to cling to and molt from, plus tiny prey. Captive husbandry data is limited and it is small and delicate — best for keepers comfortable with micro-inverts.

Taxonomy

FamilyCharinidae

GenusCharinus

Native regionCuba (cave systems)

TypeArboreal

Temperamentshy; cave-dwelling; freezes when disturbed

Size & growth

Adult sizebody ~0.2 in (4-6 mm)

Leg span4.00–6.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature72–80 °F

Humidity75–90%

Enclosure

Adult sizevertical enclosure with cork bark to cling to

Substratemoist coco fiber; vertical cork bark; strong ventilation

Substrate depth2-3 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizepinhead crickets, fruit flies, small roach nymphs

Adult cadence1-2 prey per week

Times kept: 1