Advice wanted on shipping harvestmen

[RezonantVoid]

In about a month's time I'm looking to get a couple of these beauties

https://www.tnrp.com.au/eupnoan-harvestmen.html

Problem is, not only do have an impressive 4" legspan, they can also detach their limbs for whatever reason. I'm curious if anybody has advice on how best to pack and ship larger harvestmen species in a way that will minimise the risk of them dropping limbs. Thanks in advance

 

[Wolfram1]

In a recent video @Aquarimax recieved a package with Vonones ornatus. They were packaged by using some wrinkled and scrunched up paper towels to fill the space but leave enough space for the opiliones to hunker in the crevices safely.

He could probably help you out.

 

[danielk]

Hey I see a species sort of like this locally (see pic). I have always wondered what species they might be, do you know them well?

I notice when disturbed they hunker down and I could imagine what Wolfram suggests would work (though I have no experience).

 

[RezonantVoid]

Hey I see a species sort of like this locally (see pic). I have always wondered what species they might be, do you know them well?

I notice when disturbed they hunker down and I could imagine what Wolfram suggests would work (though I have no experience).

That is exactly the species I'm after! Neopantopsalis pentheter is native to eastern Queensland, I think mostly the south east. The primary reason I'm venturing into keeping them is that there is very little known about them. As far as I'm aware, nobody has ever attempted to keep or breed this species in captivity, so I'm after as much information as I can get to help recreate their habitat as best as I can

 

[danielk]

I see them in a near by national park, moist/cool subtropical rainforest. I’ll get some photos of habitat next time I’m there. They are almost always on the side of very large boulders in amongst a forest of moss.

 

[Postmalone35]

Packed tightly with stiff paper but enough space to hide.

 

[RezonantVoid]

I see them in a near by national park, moist/cool subtropical rainforest. I’ll get some photos of habitat next time I’m there. They are almost always on the side of very large boulders in amongst a forest of moss.

Have you ever seen the females along with the males? Similar legspan but without the large modified pedipalps and they are green and turquoise

 

[danielk]

Yeah I do, these are the only photos I have here.

I sold my old macro lens but when I get my new one I'll head out and get a bit of a photo series on them.

 

[RezonantVoid]

Yeah I do, these are the only photos I have here.

I sold my old macro lens but when I get my new one I'll head out and get a bit of a photo series on them.

They really are gorgeous, I'll be sure to pass on the shipping recommendations to the blokes (hopefully) catching them for me in the coming weeks, would hate for them to be injured in the post

 

[danielk]

Looking forward to seeing how you go with them I might have a crack one day (I know a few spots outside the N.P. where they might be.

 

[Arthroverts]

I would think packaging them like large amblypygids would be helpful, something that @Banshee05 would be more familiar with.

As for opiliones specifically, @AbraxasComplex might be able to shed some light on the subject.

Thanks,

Arthroverts