Sex and breeding (D. varigatus)

[SkyeSpider]

I got a trio of D. varigatus about a year ago. I think one has matured into a male. His pedipalps are gigantic! That said, I know next to nothing about these animals. Any help and opinions would be appreciated it.

Assuming he is a mature male, though: Do people do breeding loans with these inverts, like they do with tarantulas? If so, I'd be interested in doing this. I'm very anxious to have more. They're quite neat!

-Bryan

 

[cryptly]

Very nice Whip scorps! :clap:

I've got a pair of these, male and female. They are very neat. I wouldn't mind more myself. The idea of breeding loans is an interesting one. Something to definatly look into.

 

[bistrobob85]

Great looking whipscorpion!! Can you tell me what the total latin name is?!? What is the '' D. '' variegiatus?!? I've been looking for a lot of pics of Heterophrynus Batesi but your's look a lot like it, maybe it has changed latin name or they are really distinct species?!? Also, can you keep a 2-3 specimens of the same size together or is there a risk of canibalism?

phil.

 

[smalltime]

Hi Bryan,

I've just bred these Damon's and got about 30-40 little ones!!
I don't see any sex difference in those you've pictured here, and I think that these are female. But you really need to compare two equally sized specimen to b sure, the whipspiders keep on growing you see and so do the pedipalps of the males, so it could just be you have smaller specimen and the difference isnot that clear yet... :?
A easier way is to distinguish a female by the extra rings (from lateral view) on her abdomen, it is the sure sign it is an adult female with eggpough.

Heterophrynus batesi is a species from the New World I believe and these Damon variegatus are from about all over Afrika.

In General I can say they love cork humidity (70-80) and temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius

 

[SkyeSpider]

I've just bred these Damon's and got about 30-40 little ones!!
I don't see any sex difference in those you've pictured here, and I think that these are female. But you really need to compare two equally sized specimen to b sure, the whipspiders keep on growing you see and so do the pedipalps of the males, so it could just be you have smaller specimen and the difference isnot that clear yet... :?
A easier way is to distinguish a female by the extra rings (from lateral view) on her abdomen, it is the sure sign it is an adult female with eggpough.

All of those pictures were the same one. It's body is about 2cm long, and the pedipalps are about 1.5cm folded, and 3cm extended. That just seems a bit too large. The other one I have is about two molts behind this one, and the pedipalps are much smaller, in compairison.

Here's a picture of the two of them, side by side, when I first got them.

-Bryan

 

[Goliath]

Bryan,
Here is a picture of a male and female for comparision on palp length, a lone male, a lone female and a female with eggs. The males and females live the same length of time, so there is no real need to do breeding loans other than to diversify the bloodlines.
Mike

 

[SkyeSpider]

Bryan,
Here is a picture of a male and female for comparision on palp length, a lone male, a lone female and a female with eggs. The males and females live the same length of time, so there is no real need to do breeding loans other than to diversify the bloodlines.
Mike

Thanks for the info. Great pictures, too!

-Bryan

 

[PERIKIN]

.....

really good pictures,i've never seen a female with eggs.i'm fascinated.may be some day i can have a couple of these beauties.
regards!!