USA Whip scorpion size comparison.

[Phrynus]

Just to give a visual size comparison of three USA whips... These are all adult specimens.
Bottom left- Paraphrynus raptator
Center- Paraphrynus mexicanus ex; Arizona
Top right- Phrynus marginemaculatus

 

[RzezniksRunAway]

That's a great size comparison. You should post dorsal/ventral shots of each species up in the gallery for ID purposes, it would be nice to have for future reference for people looking for ID's.

 

[ecooper]

I'm curious...if you have experience with all 3 species, how do they compare in behavior and husbandry requirements?

EC

 

[Phrynus]

Hi EC,
I keep them all the same... ie; temp, food, enclosure and they continue to molt and grow. I learned very early on that large elaborate setups made it difficult to observe the animals and offered much less control over the conditions. Feeding in Mass creates issues with cannibalism, so I simplified my enclosures with cork and coconut Substrate. The Paraphrynus are more skittish, and the Phrynus is more passive (in my experience).
Pb

 

[ecooper]

Hi EC,
I keep them all the same... ie; temp, food, enclosure and they continue to molt and grow. I learned very early on that large elaborate setups made it difficult to observe the animals and offered much less control over the conditions. Feeding in Mass creates issues with cannibalism, so I simplified my enclosures with cork and coconut Substrate. The Paraphrynus are more skittish, and the Phrynus is more passive (in my experience).
Pb

Thanks...I just got my first whip scorpions (juvenile Damon) and have them set-up pretty much like you said but with bark instead of cork. Both Paraphrynus and Phrynus are on my list of critters to get, although I don't recall Paraphrynus being offered for sale very often.

Interesting observation on their temperament...

EC

 

[Phrynus]

Ec,
Be careful, they'll quickly become your favorite arachnid

I have collected all 3 species ... The Paraphrynus are very agile and quick to retreat whereas the phrynus will remain in view. Noteworthy: both of the Paraphrynus species live in rock habitat. Phrynus prefer habitat like logs.

It is possible to get your hands on P. Mexicanus but they're usually pricey. As for the P.raptator, I believe I'm the only one with them in captivity. I have a group of 13 and I plan to breed a couple of pairs this summer.

Pb

 

[Phrynus]

Enclosure

This my typical setup...

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Is that a cork tile just folded?

 

[Phrynus]

It is,,, you can buy large rolls from Lowes or Home Depot. I think they call it cork backing. Its nice because you can cut to fit and it doesn't seem to have any chemicals or glue that can compromise the health of the Whips... I've been using it for a couple years now.

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 05:02 PM ----------

I find a simple arch works best... it offers a vertical surface (important for molting process). At night they all come out and explore the container. They hide during the day. If I offer food during the day, its necessary to place them in darkness to feed, otherwise they will wait until night time when I turn out the lights.
Pb

 

[ecooper]

Ec,
Be careful, they'll quickly become your favorite arachnid

I have collected all 3 species ... The Paraphrynus are very agile and quick to retreat whereas the phrynus will remain in view. Noteworthy: both of the Paraphrynus species live in rock habitat. Phrynus prefer habitat like logs.

It is possible to get your hands on P. Mexicanus but they're usually pricey. As for the P.raptator, I believe I'm the only one with them in captivity. I have a group of 13 and I plan to breed a couple of pairs this summer.

Pb

LOL! They have been a favorite of mine ever since I saw my first specimen at night in the Amazon jungle back in 1992. Very cool critters--and huge! According to Martin at Tarantula Canada they were Heterophrynus sp. I collected them to photograph but couldn't bring any back. Interestingly they were really tough to grab by hand--they were so fast. But they were really easy to pick up with a pair of tongs. It was like they didn't recognize the tongs as a threat.

Where are the P.raptator native to?

EC

 

[Phrynus]

I only know of one locality for P. raptator and its in South Florida.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

It is,,, you can buy large rolls from Lowes or Home Depot. I think they call it cork backing. Its nice because you can cut to fit and it doesn't seem to have any chemicals or glue that can compromise the health of the Whips... I've been using it for a couple years now.

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 05:02 PM ----------

I find a simple arch works best... it offers a vertical surface (important for molting process). At night they all come out and explore the container. They hide during the day. If I offer food during the day, its necessary to place them in darkness to feed, otherwise they will wait until night time when I turn out the lights.
Pb

Cool. I might have to head to Lowes to see if they have it. I need it to be a bit taller for my Damon diadema (Tanzanian Tailless Whip Scorpion) and
Heterophrynus batesii (Giant Peruvian Tailless Whip Scorpion). Do you think you can cut pieces 8 X 14 inches or will they break when they get moist?

 

[ecooper]

Cool. I might have to head to Lowes to see if they have it. I need it to be a bit taller for my Damon diadema (Tanzanian Tailless Whip Scorpion) and
Heterophrynus batesii (Giant Peruvian Tailless Whip Scorpion). Do you think you can cut pieces 8 X 14 inches or will they break when they get moist?

You have Heterophrynus? That's a coincidence (see mu post above)! Any chance you are breeding them?

EC

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 03:05 PM ----------

I only know of one locality for P. raptator and its in South Florida.

Interesting...I didn't realize there was more than 1 species in Florida...

EC

 

[Phrynus]

Moisture doesn't hurt it and it can be folded back on itself (almost flat) without tearing. You can make a lot out of hot glue, scissors and cork board.

AND If you're a veteran I know home depot offers a 15% discount... Lowes may as well.

Pb

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 06:27 PM ----------

It is the only known Paraphrynus species east of the Mississippi river.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Moisture doesn't hurt it and it can be folded back on itself (almost flat) without tearing. You can make a lot out of hot glue, scissors and cork board.

AND If you're a veteran I know home depot offers a 15% discount... Lowes may as well.

Pb

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 06:27 PM ----------

It is the only known Paraphrynus species east of the Mississippi river.

Cool! I'll definitely get some. I have been looking for a cheaper cork bark alternative for awhile. Thanks again for this great tip!

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 07:30 PM ----------

You have Heterophrynus? That's a coincidence (see mu post above)! Any chance you are breeding them?

EC

---------- Post added 05-21-2014 at 03:05 PM ----------



Interesting...I didn't realize there was more than 1 species in Florida...

EC

Mine are juveniles. They are very cool.

Orin (http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?80149-Elytra-and-Antenna-(Orin-McMonigle) ) breeds and sells them every now and then. I highly recommend him. His animals are very healthy. I have purchased from him multiple times over the years and it has always been a very positive experience. Good luck.

 

[Phrynus]

Orin is awesome!
Everyone should buy his whipscorpion book. It is very comprehensive. Highly recommended read!

 

[ecooper]

LOL! Another weird coincidence...just today I ordered 2 of Orion's books and sent an email to the Elytra and Antenna website inquiring about contributing to Inverts magazine. I didn't realize he also had critters for sale...

EC

 

[Phrynus]

Its a great book and Orin is awesome! (I'm biased) and since we're name dropping, Ken the Bug Guy is another great source... They are both great for info and stock. Can't go wrong dealing with either one.

Orin's book blew me away, by far the best literature on these lifeforms.

Big thanks to both folks!

 

[MrCrackerpants]

LOL! Another weird coincidence...just today I ordered 2 of Orion's books and sent an email to the Elytra and Antenna website inquiring about contributing to Inverts magazine. I didn't realize he also had critters for sale...

EC

You can PM him and see what animals he has for sale. You can also search the forum where people sell animals.

 

[wizentrop]

Very interesting post Phrynus! It is nice to see P. raptator and P. mexicanus side by side for a comparison.

By the way, you are not the only one keeping P. raptator in captivity (maybe in the US) - I have a group with two mated females, one with a huge sac ready to pop any day now. Awesome feisty animals.
I wish I could get my hands on some P. mexicanus. I have been looking for this species for some time. I'd love to trade with my Phrynus parvulus...