Johnston's Whip Spider

Damon johnstonii

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

An African whip spider with an enormous antenniform-leg span — completely harmless (no venom, no sting). Like other Damon it lives in rock and bark crevices and tolerates slightly lower humidity (65-80%) than tropical genera, but dehydration is still the top killer, so mist and provide water. Often kept communally given vertical cork to cling to. Tall enclosure, strong ventilation. Shy — freezes or bolts.

Taxonomy

FamilyPhrynichidae

GenusDamon

Native regionEast/Southern Africa

TypeArboreal

Temperamentshy; freezes or flees; communal-tolerant

Size & growth

Adult sizebody 1.2-1.6 in; legspan to ~17 in

Leg span30.00–40.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature72–80 °F

Humidity65–80%

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