This is the care sheet for the Western Tailless Whip spider (Damon medius), however, damon diadema has pretty much the same care requirements. First of all, these arachnids are not spiders nor scorpions but their own order, Amblypygi, which accounts for 155 species of whip spider. They possess three walking legs – of which the second pair has become antenniform (partially antennae) – and one front pair of hunting appendages lined with spines. Amblypygids are arboreal and nocturnal, primarily active during the night but are almost always seen during the day in captive environments. Generally, whip spiders have a docile disposition, no venom and can be handled easily. Whip spiders are a brown, grey or black colouration. Often, they are seen missing parts of the frontal or second pair of legs, they will regrow after a molt, though. Anyway, so how do you care for these unique hunters?
For the environmental conditions required for damon medius, the enclosure must be heated from 24C to 26C. At night, the temperature can be allowed to drop to 20C but no lower. For humidity conditions, more than 75% is sufficient but increase the humidity for all pre-adult stages. This differs from other arachnid pets, in which higher humidity levels damage scorplings or spiderlings. Due to this humidity level, a moisture-retaining substrate is needed such as vermiculite, coco fibre or sphagnum moss (or other peat mosses.)
Since this species is arboreal, get creative with their habitat! Their is one necessity, a cork bark or soft bark background or piece for the whip spider to sit on. Fake or live plants can be placed in the vivarium, sticks and rocks add to the naturalism of the enclosure. If you plan to add more decorations, the habitat size can be larger than 30x30x30cm dimensions but the cage must be vertically oriented. The arachnid its self has a body size of 4-8 cm (size can vary larger than this) and legs that grow several times longer.
Feeding is one of the best parts of this invertebrate (aside from the handling feature). Adults will feed on large crickets about twice a week or sizable roaches once or twice a week. Damon medius will strike the prey item after gradually creeping closer and trapping it in long, spiked pedipalps before feeding on the crushed insect. Make sure that the invert feeds on the prey, because it may refuse as it may be in a premolt stage and crickets will chew your arachnid which could result in loss of tarsi, antennae, pedipalps or ultimately death. Or, sometimes, your whip just might not be interested – in which case check by attempting twice a week.
Sexual dimorphism is apparent from the fourth instar, just look at the pedipalps and compare with photos. The male’s pedipalps are much larger than the female’s. Speaking of molting, whips will molt their entire exoskeleton on a vertical or upside down in the same way mantids do.