Florida Vinegaroon

Mastigoproctus floridanus

VinegaroonbeginnerHarmless

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.

Sprays acetic acid

Can spray a fine, concentrated vinegar mist when threatened. Not dangerous to skin, but genuinely painful in the eyes — keep it below face level when handling.

About

The Florida member of the giant-vinegaroon complex — care follows Mastigoproctus giganteus: a deep (4-6 inch) burrowable substrate kept moist below with a drier surface, cork-bark hides, leaf litter, and a water dish, at 72-85°F and ~65-80% humidity. No venom and no sting; its only defense is a harmless acetic-acid (vinegar) spray — keep it out of your eyes. Docile, long-lived, a great display species.

Taxonomy

FamilyThelyphonidae

GenusMastigoproctus

Native regionFlorida, southeastern USA

TypeFossorial

Temperamentdocile; sprays acetic acid if pressed

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to 3.5 in body (plus tail)

Body length1.57–2.36 in

Growth rateslow

Life stagesNumbered instars

Climate

Temperature72–85°F

Humidity65–80%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate

Substratedeep moist coco/topsoil for burrowing; hide; water dish

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1 prey per week

Times kept: 0