Central American Whip Spider

Paraphrynus laevifrons

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 small Central American whip spider — a harmless nocturnal ambush predator whose spiked pedipalps look intimidating but are almost never used in defense (no venom, no sting). House it in a vertical enclosure roughly twice its span in each dimension, with cork bark to cling to, 65-80°F, and high humidity (70-90%) maintained by misting once or twice daily plus a water dish. Tolerant of communal housing given space and hides. Hardy as long as it never dries out.

Taxonomy

FamilyPhrynidae

GenusParaphrynus

Native regionCentral America

TypeArboreal

Temperamentshy, harmless nocturnal ambusher

Size & growth

Adult sizebody 0.7-1.1 in (18-28 mm)

Leg span18.00–28.00 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