Whip Scorpion (Amblypygi)
These care guides are just that, guides, based on my experience with the species. Please be mindful of you local climate and house environment and adjust the care accordingly. Some individuals among a species may also vary in their care needs.
*please note my care may vary from others
- Light: Amblypygi are nocturnal. They do not enjoy/benefit from light. Ambient room light is sufficient.
- Water: A water dish should be included in the enclosure. You can use various things as a water dish: bottle lids, glazed terra cotta plant bottoms, tea light holders, reptile water dishes, etc. Just make sure the item isn’t painted or contains other toxic materials. Preferred materials: glass, plastic, glazed terra cotta. Each species will have a different humidity preference/requirement, once you have determined their humidity needs fill the water dish and mist the enclosure as needed. You can also include moss and mist it weekly. Misting is great for these species. Use a substrate that retains moisture (coconut based soil, reptisoil, etc.), make sure the soil doesn’t have fertilizers. Live plants also add to moisture and humidity. You can determine if your enclosure is too damp or too dry by the Amblypygi’s behavior; It’s too damp if they will try to climbing the walls of the enclosure and not stand on the substrate, do not water log the substrate. It is too dry if they are standing in and on their water dish.
- Food: feed according to abdomen size. Overfeeding can shorten the lifespan of your Amblypygi. Always remove uneaten prey within 24hrs. Crickets seem to be the preferred prey.
- Babies eat every 2 to 3 days. Springtails, wingless fruit flies Small 1-2 week crickets. They will eventually handle live 3 week crickets.
- Juveniles eat 1x/week, 3-5 week crickets.
- Adults eat every 1 to 2 weeks, multiple crickets, silk worms.
- Temperature: room temperature is good (20c). They live in caves and in shaded rock outcrops. Do not use heat pads or heat lamps. Do not exceed 30c, if you can help it, for an extended period of time. Check individual species care. If it’s too warm, be careful to monitor the humidity and adjust it accordingly.
- Housing: I aim for 3x the Amblypygi’s length and 3x its width minimum. Make sure there is room for their whips to move freely. Size up as the Amblypygi grows. These species are arboreal and are great climbers. They love to hang out on vertical surfaces. If you are making the enclosure yourself be sure the ventilation holes are the appropriate size and smooth (you can use a drill or a heat gun). Some species are communal. They are also escape artists, mind the closures and cracks.
- Enrichment: housing materials can add to your Amblypygi enrichment. I use wood, rocks, cork, moss, fake foliage, dried leaves, live plants or anything without moving parts and small spaces they could get stuck in to decorate enclosures. If you collect materials from outside make sure to sanitize them properly with heat or insect safe cleaners (soap and water, thoroughly rinsed and dried). This species loves cork and utilizes it well for climbing and hiding.
- Handling: They do tolerate handling, they are shy. Be aware some Amblypygi are very fast when they want to be. They don’t seem to bite or pinch. They are also fragile so handle them with care. Not all Amblypygi’s will want to be handled, please respect that.