African cave spider=tailless whip scorpion??

[Jimmy James]

I saw pictures of both the African cave spider and the tailless whip scorpion (at least, that's what I think it was), and they looked like the same thing.

Are they? And if so, is it a spider or a scorpion?

 

[Prymal]

Jimmy,

They are one and the same. Although, both names are misleading and inaccurate.

These are neither spiders (Araneae) or scorpions (Scorpiones). They belong to the arachnid Order Amblypygi ("blunt-rumped"). One of the most common African species is Damon variegatus and while they look a bit alien and to some frightening, they're actually quite inoffensive and make great invert "pets" if you can find 'em.

Luc

 

[Jimmy James]

Yeah, I've looked around to see if they were for sale.

Are they really rare in the pet trade?

 

[Metzgermeister]

I dont think theyre too rare.. the pet store here(in Canada) has a bunch in, though theyre not very big. If they do turn out to be rare i might have to pick some up;P

 

[Jimmy James]

About how big were they?

 

[Brian S]

At the moment they are very common at my house. Here is my female with young. The adults are about 2 inches in body lenght but thats not counting the legs and pedipalps