Several weird things happening with my phrynus whitei

[PhrynusDeletus]

Hello! I recently got a juvenile phrynus whitei(about 5 centimeters with the legs opened) sold to me as Damon sp.(that's a whole can of worms I don't want to get into). But I have noticed weird behavior from the little bugger. First it would just not eat. This was to be expected and I am not worried about that. I will let it get used to the box. But something else that is strange is that it actually prefers to sit on the ground instead of climbing. I have put some sticks and leaves in the enclosure, was I figured it would like it, as it lives in trees in the wild. I have tried a long flat rock, which was also rejected. So now I don't know how to get this guy to climb.
Any tips? This is my first ambypygi and I was expecting a completely different genus, so go easy on me, ambly experts. I would also like to ask what insect I should give him and if he needs prekilled or not.

 

[Hardus nameous]

Is the substrate too dry?

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Is the substrate too dry?

I would say it is pretty dump. Not flooding of course, but it's still wet.

 

[Hardus nameous]

My Amblypygi tend to sit near the substrate when it's not wet enough.

What sort of surfaces does it have to climb now? Mine seem to prefer flat wood, but some people use styrofoam.

 

[that1ocelot]

Styrofoam, cork or cork board works. I don't imagine they can hang out on sticks easier. Keep in mind that most species just have tarsal claws, they're good at sticking to things but smooth isn't always great!

I'd +1 the damp aspect. If the substrate is dry but there's a ton of ventilation, that could be it.
Being your first amblypygi, you're lucky. P. Whitei is significantly hardier than most Damon sp.

In terms of food, I find most of mine wouldn't eat for a couple weeks after I got them. Pre-killed crickets work wonders, or living. I find they generally prefer prey on the smaller side. I've had losses caused from some prey items as well - namely mealworms.

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Styrofoam, cork or cork board works. I don't imagine they can hang out on sticks easier. Keep in mind that most species just have tarsal claws, they're good at sticking to things but smooth isn't always great!

I'd +1 the damp aspect. If the substrate is dry but there's a ton of ventilation, that could be it.
Being your first amblypygi, you're lucky. P. Whitei is significantly hardier than most Damon sp.

In terms of food, I find most of mine wouldn't eat for a couple weeks after I got them. Pre-killed crickets work wonders, or living. I find they generally prefer prey on the smaller side. I've had losses caused from some prey items as well - namely mealworms.

Ok I will go collect some tomorrow and sterilize it. Good news is that it started climbing. Bad news is that it climbed probably because, in my effort to moisten up the enclosure. It's not enough to drown, but surely uncomfortable. I'm going to try to sponge the water up with paper towels.

 

[Hardus nameous]

As long as it can climb and won't drown I'd leave the water as it is. Phrynus tend to like it wet and humid.

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

As long as it can climb and won't drown I'd leave the water as it is. Phrynus tend to like it wet and humid.

I have already sponged the water. I also "skinned" some timberwood and washed it well in order for it to climb.(I used the parts that were cut off not the larger piece)
Needles to say he liked it.

 

[Maxthesquid]

Send pics of enclosure

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Send pics of enclosure

It is a round yoghurt container with 11.5 cm in diameter. It gets ventilation from holes in the lid.
This is temporary till it gets big enough not to fit through the lid of the larger box, which at the moment needs emptying.
I also sent a photo of the bugger.

 

[Maxthesquid]

Is there room on the underside of the bark for him to hang out under, can’t really tell from angle. It’s important to have a slanted surface that they can hide and hang off of to molt

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Is there room on the underside of the bark for him to hang out under, can’t really tell from angle. It’s important to have a slanted surface that they can hide and hang off of to molt

Yes it was a hell to position right. It is a bit small but it does the job.

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Also do you know how to sex my little guy? And are there any differences in lifespan or behavior between genders?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[that1ocelot]

Also do you know how to sex my little guy? And are there any differences in lifespan or behavior between genders?

Thanks in advance!!

You can tell their sex by their genital operculum with molts. Different sexes have different shapes, unfortunately I don't have any references for you.

Alternatively you can physically open the operculum in molts, and some genital structures should be left to tell for sure. Tough to see though.

In terms of temperament...no difference I've seen. Maybe someone else can chime in. I find the "red eye" variant of Whitei to be quite chill unless another Amblypygi is involved

 

[Maxthesquid]

Also do you know how to sex my little guy? And are there any differences in lifespan or behavior between genders?

Thanks in advance!!

It’s super easy to tell with Damon species, I don’t have any phrynus experience, you might have to examine a future molt. Females live more than twice as long as males.

Edit: ocelot responded right as I did, looks like you are indeed going to have to refer to a molt.

 

[that1ocelot]

It’s super easy to tell with Damon species, I don’t have any phrynus experience, you might have to examine a future molt. Females live more than twice as long as males.

Edit: ocelot responded right as I did, looks like you are indeed going to have to refer to a molt.

Haha, You're very correct about Damon, with their little "bushes".

However, males and females have the same lifespan I do see conflicting info (such as from the Tarantula Collective) but this is incorrect. Whip spiders are unique among arachnids for this it seems

 

[Maxthesquid]

However, males and females have the same lifespan

Hm, you’re right, I guess I’ve been too T focused recently I forgot amblys aren’t Ts, lol.

 

[that1ocelot]

Hm, you’re right, I guess I’ve been too T focused recently I forgot amblys aren’t Ts, lol.

Easy to forget when T's make up most of the hobby for sure! Also easy to forget when most top exotics YouTubers preach the wrong info haha

 

[PhrynusDeletus]

Haha, You're very correct about Damon, with their little "bushes".

However, males and females have the same lifespan I do see conflicting info (such as from the Tarantula Collective) but this is incorrect. Whip spiders are unique among arachnids for this it seems

Oh so I don't need to see the size of the claws compared to the front legs like Damon. What should I look for while sexing? Is it like tarantulas, with the flaps? How do I prepare the molt for sexing?