Euphrynichus bacillifer - need help

[zerdrek]

There is differing information all over the internet, some say not to mist this species (Euphrynichus Bacillifer) often, and other things tell me to mist often every day. I'm really just looking for someone that has experience with this specific species of Whip Spider that can tell me what to do regarding humidity - how often to mist, what to try and stay around, etc.

This is my first time owning one of these and info seems scarce for the Euphrynichus Bacillifer, so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Wolfram1]

the substrate should not turn into a swamp and start to rot

other than that they like moisture, but adults can tolerate dryer conditions for a while, they do drink from water bowls if you angle a stick or piece of bark into it

if you want anything more specific we will need to see your setup, the ventilation it has and your account on how fast it dries. Also if you have small nympths or adult whipspiders.

 

[zerdrek]

the substrate should not turn into a swamp and start to rot

other than that they like moisture, but adults can tolerate dryer conditions for a while, they do drink from water bowls if you angle a stick or piece of bark into it

if you want anything more specific we will need to see your setup, the ventilation it has and your account on how fast it dries. Also if you have small nympths or adult whipspiders.

One whipspider, definitely not an adult. Currently feeding 1/4" Crickets. My ventilation is good, the water dries kind of fast but I worry about whenever my hygrometer sometimes sits at what I consider possibly too high after spraying a lot. I've had a water dish in there for a while but no stick or bark angled into it, good tip thanks. I'd really just like to get an idea on how much humidity to aim for with this species and I can be at peace.

 

[zerdrek]

the substrate should not turn into a swamp and start to rot

other than that they like moisture, but adults can tolerate dryer conditions for a while, they do drink from water bowls if you angle a stick or piece of bark into it

if you want anything more specific we will need to see your setup, the ventilation it has and your account on how fast it dries. Also if you have small nympths or adult whipspiders.

What should I do if it isn't eating? I've had it for maybe four days now and it hasn't taken any of the crickets I've put into my terrarium. Should I try feeding it with a tweezer?

 

[Wolfram1]

ditch the hygrometer, always water based on the soil-humidity, if the soil is moist you are good, if it is dry, water or mist a little
never get it swampy wet, it's like watering a potted plant really

don't try to tong feed you will only spook it, they will sense and take prekilled food and scavenge on it very quickly if they are hungry
feed it based on abdomen size, if they are full they wont eat
again, i can only speculate unless there is more information about its current state

i do hope you have made a proper setup ....

 

[zerdrek]

ditch the hygrometer, always water based on the soil-humidity, if the soil is moist you are good, if it is dry, water or mist a little
never get it swampy wet, it's like watering a potted plant really

don't try to tong feed you will only spook it, they will sense and take prekilled food and scavenge on it very quickly if they are hungry
feed it based on abdomen size, if they are full they wont eat
again, i can only speculate unless there is more information about its current state

i do hope you have made a proper setup ....

Yeah the setup is good, so it will find dead crickets okay? I'll try and put one near the areas that it hangs around.

 

[Wolfram1]

if it is hungry it will grab the prekilled cricket, yes

 

[Brewser]

Euphrynichus bacillifer - Whip Spider
Populations of said species occur in - Kenya, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi. (Middle & South African Continent )
Nocturnal and Skittish, tend to Retreat into Cracks and Crevices when Disturbed. ( Vertical Hides )
Water Bowl may be of use as Well
Known to be Socially Accepting of Members within Their Own Species.

 

[zerdrek]

ditch the hygrometer, always water based on the soil-humidity, if the soil is moist you are good, if it is dry, water or mist a little
never get it swampy wet, it's like watering a potted plant really

don't try to tong feed you will only spook it, they will sense and take prekilled food and scavenge on it very quickly if they are hungry
feed it based on abdomen size, if they are full they wont eat
again, i can only speculate unless there is more information about its current state

i do hope you have made a proper setup ....

 

[that1ocelot]

View attachment 493510

Set up is good! Most ambly take some time to settle in. In my experience E Bacilifer are not the best eaters. They prefer smaller prey. Where a phrynus sp. will happily tackle a cricket 3/4 it's size, you would be lucky to get E Bacilifer to take a prey item at 1/2 the size of the animal.

Larger enclosures can also contribute to poor eating habits. Otherwise, all looks good. Just breathe!

 

[Edan bandoot]

prekilled was always hit or miss for me with the african species, if you see yours take it then continue.

i suggest leaving them twitching to help them find em

 

[zerdrek]

Set up is good! Most ambly take some time to settle in. In my experience E Bacilifer are not the best eaters. They prefer smaller prey. Where a phrynus sp. will happily tackle a cricket 3/4 it's size, you would be lucky to get E Bacilifer to take a prey item at 1/2 the size of the animal.

Larger enclosures can also contribute to poor eating habits. Otherwise, all looks good. Just breathe!

It spends a lot of time hiding even when pitch black at the top back side of the cork bark, can't help but feel like something is wrong lol. I try not to mist too often because I feel like it scares it.

 

[zerdrek]

prekilled was always hit or miss for me with the african species, if you see yours take it then continue.

i suggest leaving them twitching to help them find em

Did you do a lot of misting with the African species or only rarely? Also, how do you make them still twitch? Lol

 

[that1ocelot]

Did you do a lot of misting with the African species or only rarely? Also, how do you make them still twitch? Lol

If you pick up a cricket and give am a real good squeeze, that should be enough.

And hiding is the default for ambly you'll get some great activity in the evenings - even more so when it settles in.

 

[zerdrek]

If you pick up a cricket and give am a real good squeeze, that should be enough.

And hiding is the default for ambly you'll get some great activity in the evenings - even more so when it settles in.

Do you leave an indirect light on for yours until night time?

 

[that1ocelot]

Do you leave an indirect light on for yours until night time?

No. Most of my ambly receive little to no light full stop.

Some get ambient light from grow lights or sun during the day. It really doesn't matter unless you're blasting them with light 24/7. Their eyesight likely is not fantastic - light is not required or welcomed but it ultimately it is not something that's consequential