Japanese Vinegaroon

Typopeltis crucifer

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 East Asian vinegaroon — a tropical cousin of the giant vinegaroon that wants it warmer (75-85°F) and humid (70-80%). Like all vinegaroons it has NO venom and no sting; its defense is a fine spray of acetic acid (vinegar) from the tail base — harmless but best kept away from your eyes. A secretive nocturnal burrower: give it 4-6 inches of moisture-retaining substrate, a hide, and a water dish. Feed crickets or roaches weekly. Less forgiving of husbandry mistakes than M. giganteus, so an intermediate pick.

Taxonomy

FamilyThelyphonidae

GenusTypopeltis

Native regionEast Asia (Japan, Taiwan, China)

TypeFossorial

Temperamentnocturnal, secretive; sprays acetic acid

Size & growth

Adult size~1 in body (plus tail)

Length20.00–25.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature75–85 °F

Humidity70–85%

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