Frequently Asked Questions
What does a whip spider eat?
Whip spiders eat a variety of prey including small frogs, other crustaceans, and insects. They tend to eat prey around the size of their head thorax region and they have the ability to take bites out of prey.
Are African cave spiders poisonous?
African cave spiders are just cave-dwelling whip spiders and are not poisonous. They do not have any venom glands that would negatively impact humans.
Where do whip spiders live?
Whip spiders tend to live in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are found in caves, between rocks, under pieces of bark and are usually only seen at night since they are nocturnal.
Are whip spiders dangerous?
Whip spiders are formidable hunters in the wild and have a wide range of prey. Yet, these creatures are not dangerous to humans since they lack venom glands and rarely bite.The look of a tailless whip scorpion may scare you. But fret not, for it neither has a stinger nor is venomous. So, these scorpions are completely harmless despite their scary exterior. Tailless whip scorpions, often known as ‘whip spiders,’ are not actually scorpions. They are arthropods lobsters, crabs, spiders, mites, insects, centipedes, and millipedes. These insects live in hot, tropical and subtropical climates, including the Americas, parts of Africa and Asia. They can weigh up to 1 g and are 5 to 68 cm in length.
Whip Spider or African Cave Spider
The whip spider is a fascinating yet scary-looking arachnid that is actually a type of scorpion. They have long slender legs with whip-like first appendages which give them their name and raptorial pedipalp pinchers that aid in capturing prey. These first two antenniform legs are covered in olfactory nerves that aid in navigation. Their bodies are flattened allowing them the ability to live in tight spaces like under bark and between rocks.
Whip spiders live in caves and, although they are not exclusive to Africa, they are also called African cave spiders. They belong to the phylum Arthropoda and the order Amblypygi.
Feeding and diet
Whip Spiders specialise in feeding on wandering spiders, usually juveniles. The spider sits at the top of a few long silk threads that run downs below it among foliage. When a wandering spider walks up one of these handy silk `bridges’ it gets a nasty surprise. The waiting Whip Spider uses toothed bristles on the end segment of the last leg to comb out swathes of entangling sticky silk from its spinnerets. These rapidly entangle the struggling victim so that it cannot escape.
Often, the most fascinating creatures are the ones that send shivers down our spines. One such creature that perfectly fits this description is the whip spider, also known as tailless whip scorpions. These arachnids are an intriguing mix of spiders and scorpions, possessing unique characteristics that make them stand apart from other members of the arachnid family. However, despite their intimidating appearance, the question that arises is: are whip spiders dangerous?
What Are Whip Spiders?
Whip spiders, scientifically known as Thelyphonida or Amblypygids, are a distinctive group of arachnids that have a strikingly menacing appearance. They are often mistaken for scorpions due to their long, whip-like appendages, which closely resemble the tail of a scorpion. However, they are neither true spiders nor scorpions, but a unique order of arachnids that possess features of both.
Whip spiders are known for their flat, oval bodies, large pincer-like pedipalps, and elongated front legs that act as sensory antennae. Their bodies typically range in size from 25 to 85 mm, excluding their whip-like appendages. Distinctively, they have eight eyes, one pair at the front of their head, and two sets of three on each side. Despite these numerous eyes, their eyesight is remarkably weak, and they primarily rely on their long sensory legs to navigate their surroundings.
Whip Spider Behavior and Diet
Whip spiders are primarily nocturnal predators that hunt during the night while hiding in dark, damp places during the day. They employ their long, antenna-like legs to detect their prey, which typically includes soft-bodied insects such as termites, cockroaches, and crickets. Once the prey is within their grasp, they use their powerful pedipalps, equipped with distinct teeth, to crush and consume their prey.
Whip Spider Life Cycle
Like most arachnids, the life cycle of a whip spider includes the egg, larval, and adult stages. They reach sexual maturity between three to four years, with males having an average lifespan of 10 years, while females can live up to 20 years. Females lay between 35 to 68 eggs in each sac, and the young ones stay with the mother inside the burrow until their first molt, which usually takes a year.
Are Whip Spiders Dangerous?
Despite their intimidating appearance and predatory nature, whip spiders pose minimal danger to humans. They are non-venomous and do not possess the venomous sting that is characteristic of true scorpions, nor the venomous bite of some spiders. Their primary defense mechanism is a spray of acetic acid, a vinegar-like substance released from a gland when they feel threatened.
While the spray can cause minor skin irritation and a temporary burning sensation if it comes in contact with the eyes, it poses no severe health risks. However, their large pedipalps can cause slight discomfort if they pinch human skin, but these instances are rare as whip spiders are generally not aggressive towards humans.
Whip Spider Types and Habitat
Whip Spiders are common in forest habitats and can readily be seen in gardens on summer nights, suspended on delicate silk lines in spaces among shrubbery.
Whip spiders are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The giant whip scorpion, also known as Mastigoproctus giganteus giganteus, is the only species found in the United States. Despite their formidable size and appearance, they are relatively harmless.
In the U.S., giant whip scorpions are primarily found in Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Two other species, Mastigoproctus giganteus mexicanus and Mastigoproctus giganteus scabrosus, are common in Mexico, but not found in the U.S.
Whip spiders prefer habitats that are dark and moist, typically dwelling under logs, rocks, rotting wood, and other natural dark places. They dig burrows using their sturdy pedipalps and remain hidden during the day, venturing out only during the night or when it starts raining.
Whip Spider Threat Display
Interestingly, when two whip spiders encounter each other, their interaction often resembles more of a dance than a fight. They start by gently probing each other with their whips, which gradually intensifies into rapid vibrations without physical contact. At this point, one usually retreats, avoiding an actual physical confrontation. This behavior is thought to be a way of advertising their size and strength, helping them avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and potential injuries.
Controlling Whip Spider Population
If you find whip spiders on your property, it’s an indication of a suitable habitat, and there’s a likelihood of more of them. However, this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern as these arachnids are beneficial for controlling pests like cockroaches. If you still wish to control their population, professional help is recommended as common pesticides are not very effective against these species.
Whip spiders, with their alien-like appearance and predatory nature, are fascinating creatures that contribute to maintaining the balance in the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Despite their intimidating looks, they are not a threat to humans and prefer to maintain their distance. So, the next time you come across a whip spider, remember, they are more scared of you than you are of them.
