Barbados Whip Spider

Phrynus barbadensis

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 flat, fast, utterly harmless whip spider — no venom and no sting; the long antenniform front legs are sensory 'whips', not weapons. Extremely shy: it freezes or bolts when disturbed (often mistaken for tameness). Give it a vertical enclosure with cork bark to cling to, 72-80°F, and high humidity (70-90%) with strong ventilation — dehydration is the number-one killer. Often kept communally with enough vertical space and hides. A water dish and regular misting keep it hydrated.

Taxonomy

FamilyPhrynidae

GenusPhrynus

Native regionCaribbean, Central/South America

TypeArboreal

Temperamentextremely shy; freezes or flees

Size & growth

Adult sizebody ~1.5 in; wide legspan

Leg span30.00–40.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature72–80 °F

Humidity70–90%

Enclosure

Adult sizevertical enclosure with cork bark/flat hides

Substratemoist coco fiber; vertical cork bark for clinging; water dish; strong ventilation

Substrate depth2-3 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1-2 prey per week

Times kept: 0