New Tailless Whip Scorpion behaviour question

[Xandra lynn]

Hi everyone, I don’t knoe if this is the right place to post this, I’m new here, but I’m concerned about my Tailless whip scorpion..

I got it a few days ago from an expo, and for the first day it was doing good, hanging out on the wall, but now it’s been sitting on the ground in the same spot and not moving. When I try to poke it a little it’ll move a little bit, but not try and get away from me...

The temp in the terrarium is always around 70-75* and humidity is at about 80%.

I just don’t know what I did wrong, so any suggestions help! Thanks!

 

[chanda]

Can you post pictures of both the whip spider and the enclosure it is in? What are you using for substrate? Is it well ventilated? Does he have things to climb on, dark places to hide? Is the spot where it is hanging out on the ground out in the open - or tucked under a piece of cork bark or something else, that might make a dark place to hide?

 

[Xandra lynn]

Can you post pictures of both the whip spider and the enclosure it is in? What are you using for substrate? Is it well ventilated? Does he have things to climb on, dark places to hide? Is the spot where it is hanging out on the ground out in the open - or tucked under a piece of cork bark or something else, that might make a dark place to hide?

I don’t have pictures right now, but I can take some later, right now the substrate is potting soil (I have an Asian forest scorpion on the same substrate and he’s doing great), the enclosure is an exo terra so it has ventilation, and two pieces of cork bark to climb on, lots on hiding places, which is where it is. It’s hiding under one of the lower pieces of bark on the ground.

Im I possibly worried for no reason?

 

[chanda]

I don’t have pictures right now, but I can take some later, right now the substrate is potting soil (I have an Asian forest scorpion on the same substrate and he’s doing great), the enclosure is an exo terra so it has ventilation, and two pieces of cork bark to climb on, lots on hiding places, which is where it is. It’s hiding under one of the lower pieces of bark on the ground.

Im I possibly worried for no reason?

Could be. I have Damon diadema and it is not at all uncommon to find them on the ground, underneath the cork bark. Remember that these are nocturnal animals, so they are not terribly active during the daytime. In the wild, they would be completely out-of-sight, tucked away in some small hole or crevice, safely hidden until nightfall. In captivity, this is typically not an option, so they will find the closest thing they can to a small, dark space where they feel safe. What you need to do is slip in quietly at night, with a small flashlight, and observe it then. If all is well, it should be actively exploring the enclosure and climbing around the bark at night (though it may hide when you hit it with the light).

Also, these are very shy, timid animals, so you should try to avoid poking it, blowing on it, or otherwise disturbing it, even if it does reassure you to see that little "proof of life." You are stressing out your animal, which is bad for its health.

 

[aphono]

Which species is it? Agree with @chanda pictures could be really useful. Both of the critter and enclosure.

 

[Xandra lynn]

Which species is it? Agree with @chanda pictures could be really useful. Both of the critter and enclosure.

It’s an Amblypygi, and ya I’m going to get them when I get home, ima t work right now.

 

[Xandra lynn]

Could be. I have Damon diadema and it is not at all uncommon to find them on the ground, underneath the cork bark. Remember that these are nocturnal animals, so they are not terribly active during the daytime. In the wild, they would be completely out-of-sight, tucked away in some small hole or crevice, safely hidden until nightfall. In captivity, this is typically not an option, so they will find the closest thing they can to a small, dark space where they feel safe. What you need to do is slip in quietly at night, with a small flashlight, and observe it then. If all is well, it should be actively exploring the enclosure and climbing around the bark at night (though it may hide when you hit it with the light).

Also, these are very shy, timid animals, so you should try to avoid poking it, blowing on it, or otherwise disturbing it, even if it does reassure you to see that little "proof of life." You are stressing out your animal, which is bad for its health.

Ok, good to know, I also just remembered it only had one whip, could that have something to do with it? I know it’s senses would be dulled with just the one until it molts.

 

[schmiggle]

Amblypygi is rather broad. Try to narrow it down at least to genus (though of course pics will help with that a lot).

Mine always ran away very quickly when I was around, although sometimes it would have to wake up first (it was usually alert within a few seconds).

 

[aphono]

It’s an Amblypygi, and ya I’m going to get them when I get home, ima t work right now.

That's akin to saying "canid". Could be a coyote, maned wolf, dog, jackal. Tbh, I have a guess as to which species it is and circumstances around it(I'd be glad to offer advise if hunch is correct) but it's better to get all the details before proceeding.

Looking forward to pics.

 

[Xandra lynn]

That's akin to saying "canid". Could be a coyote, maned wolf, dog, jackal. Tbh, I have a guess as to which species it is and circumstances around it(I'd be glad to offer advise if hunch is correct) but it's better to get all the details before proceeding.

Looking forward to pics.

Here’s the photos! As far as I can tell, it’s been hiding under that piece of cork bark for around 3 days

 

[Xandra lynn]

Amblypygi is rather broad. Try to narrow it down at least to genus (though of course pics will help with that a lot).

Mine always ran away very quickly when I was around, although sometimes it would have to wake up first (it was usually alert within a few seconds).

Here’s the pictures, could it be the set up that’s wrong?

 

[aphono]

Here’s the photos! As far as I can tell, it’s been hiding under that piece of cork bark for around 3 days

Thanks! It is most likely a wild caught Damon medius. Those have been the most common large sized species on the market in the last couple years. Down in the states, often sold as "Tanzanian whip spider". Bad name as this species is actually from several western Africa countries- and why many hobbyists stick to binomial names and iirc, Tanzania has a ban on wildlife exports.

This species thrives with high humidity- higher than Damon diadema (the other common-ish large species however this species has a good CB population and afaik, no recent imports from Africa & Tanzania indeed is one of the countries it can be found in). The enclosure seems to be too dry as is... substrate looks dry in the pictures. It should be really moist. On top of that, being a wild caught and who knows how recently imported it was & stress of being in the containers, on display and the like for sale, they really benefit from extreme humidity to help them recover.

I'd recommend wetting the substrate a lot more plus heavy misting of the whole enclosure or at least half of it. For the first time, mist everything really good(get the substrate wet. Not merely moist.) while trying not to get much of it directly on the whip spider. Not light, quick evaporating mist. Heavy. Make droplets it can scoop up water to drink if it needs to hydrate. (btw pet supply hygrometers are total junk. Throw it away or at the very least do not rely on it.) After this, do regular about half as heavy misting. Half of enclosure is fine.. also heavy enough so there's some droplets. If you see it making some scooping movements with 'finger licking', it's been thirsty. Once you see it away from the substrate you know it's getting enough humidity and hopefully recovering(addendum about lighting & shelter below).

Put only one cricket in at a time. They can be super sensitive during their early stages of captivity so multiple crickets may cause them stress at first. Take it out if it isn't eaten overnight and try again two nights later. The recovered ones are very quick- as in immediate or within 5 minutes- to chase and grab crickets when hungry.

Mine were extremely light-sensitive at first, so either a dark room or keeping the enclosure out of light or covering it partially would help some with the stress. The pictures are showing way too much light going in the enclosure. If the circled spot is the only dark spot it has, not the best setup. Needs light free areas higher up also, especially for a new WC import. Once they have recovered you can have the enclosure out like 'normal'(still suggest dark hiding spaces higher up though). One of my WC medius females is on display in the living room, she's out and visible even with the room light on. But it took a good while before she started to do that. Picture below is of is her willingly out in the room light on her own(camera flash added some light though).

View media item 51312

 

[Xandra lynn]

Thanks! It is most likely a wild caught Damon medius. Those have been the most common large sized species on the market in the last couple years. Down in the states, often sold as "Tanzanian whip spider". Bad name as this species is actually from several western Africa countries- and why many hobbyists stick to binomial names and iirc, Tanzania has a ban on wildlife exports.

This species thrives with high humidity- higher than Damon diadema (the other common-ish large species however this species has a good CB population and afaik, no recent imports from Africa & Tanzania indeed is one of the countries it can be found in). The enclosure seems to be too dry as is... substrate looks dry in the pictures. It should be really moist. On top of that, being a wild caught and who knows how recently imported it was & stress of being in the containers, on display and the like for sale, they really benefit from extreme humidity to help them recover.

I'd recommend wetting the substrate a lot more plus heavy misting of the whole enclosure or at least half of it. For the first time, mist everything really good(get the substrate wet. Not merely moist.) while trying not to get much of it directly on the whip spider. Not light, quick evaporating mist. Heavy. Make droplets it can scoop up water to drink if it needs to hydrate. (btw pet supply hygrometers are total junk. Throw it away or at the very least do not rely on it.) After this, do regular about half as heavy misting. Half of enclosure is fine.. also heavy enough so there's some droplets. If you see it making some scooping movements with 'finger licking', it's been thirsty. Once you see it away from the substrate you know it's getting enough humidity and hopefully recovering(addendum about lighting & shelter below).

Put only one cricket in at a time. They can be super sensitive during their early stages of captivity so multiple crickets may cause them stress at first. Take it out if it isn't eaten overnight and try again two nights later. The recovered ones are very quick- as in immediate or within 5 minutes- to chase and grab crickets when hungry.

Mine were extremely light-sensitive at first, so either a dark room or keeping the enclosure out of light or covering it partially would help some with the stress. The pictures are showing way too much light going in the enclosure. If the circled spot is the only dark spot it has, not the best setup. Needs light free areas higher up also, especially for a new WC import. Once they have recovered you can have the enclosure out like 'normal'(still suggest dark hiding spaces higher up though). One of my WC medius females is on display in the living room, she's out and visible even with the room light on. But it took a good while before she started to do that. Picture below is of is her willingly out in the room light on her own(camera flash added some light though).

View media item 51312

Thank you!! I’ll try these things, hopefully they will help!

 

[schmiggle]

Thanks! It is most likely a wild caught Damon medius. Those have been the most common large sized species on the market in the last couple years. Down in the states, often sold as "Tanzanian whip spider". Bad name as this species is actually from several western Africa countries- and why many hobbyists stick to binomial names and iirc, Tanzania has a ban on wildlife exports.

This species thrives with high humidity- higher than Damon diadema (the other common-ish large species however this species has a good CB population and afaik, no recent imports from Africa & Tanzania indeed is one of the countries it can be found in). The enclosure seems to be too dry as is... substrate looks dry in the pictures. It should be really moist. On top of that, being a wild caught and who knows how recently imported it was & stress of being in the containers, on display and the like for sale, they really benefit from extreme humidity to help them recover.

I'd recommend wetting the substrate a lot more plus heavy misting of the whole enclosure or at least half of it. For the first time, mist everything really good(get the substrate wet. Not merely moist.) while trying not to get much of it directly on the whip spider. Not light, quick evaporating mist. Heavy. Make droplets it can scoop up water to drink if it needs to hydrate. (btw pet supply hygrometers are total junk. Throw it away or at the very least do not rely on it.) After this, do regular about half as heavy misting. Half of enclosure is fine.. also heavy enough so there's some droplets. If you see it making some scooping movements with 'finger licking', it's been thirsty. Once you see it away from the substrate you know it's getting enough humidity and hopefully recovering(addendum about lighting & shelter below).

Put only one cricket in at a time. They can be super sensitive during their early stages of captivity so multiple crickets may cause them stress at first. Take it out if it isn't eaten overnight and try again two nights later. The recovered ones are very quick- as in immediate or within 5 minutes- to chase and grab crickets when hungry.

Mine were extremely light-sensitive at first, so either a dark room or keeping the enclosure out of light or covering it partially would help some with the stress. The pictures are showing way too much light going in the enclosure. If the circled spot is the only dark spot it has, not the best setup. Needs light free areas higher up also, especially for a new WC import. Once they have recovered you can have the enclosure out like 'normal'(still suggest dark hiding spaces higher up though). One of my WC medius females is on display in the living room, she's out and visible even with the room light on. But it took a good while before she started to do that. Picture below is of is her willingly out in the room light on her own(camera flash added some light though).

View media item 51312

^^^this is excellent advice. I'll just add that I actually poured water into my substrate to get enough into it. The substrate is very useful as a humidity buffer.

Edit: also, I would say that that is Damon medius with almost 100% certainty.

 

[Xandra lynn]

^^^this is excellent advice. I'll just add that I actually poured water into my substrate to get enough into it. The substrate is very useful as a humidity buffer.

I did as well, I also added a slightly deeper water dish (not deep enough for it to get hurt) so it wouldn’t evaporate quite as quickly