Tanzanian Tailless Whip Scorpions
Damon variegatus

The Tanzanian Giant Tailless Whipscorpion is a truly unique arachnid species! Despite either of its names, it is not a scorpion or a spider. Unlike true scorpions, the tailless whip scorpion does not have a tail.

Tailless whip scorpion, also called the whip spider, is native to tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Despite either of its names, it is not a scorpion or a spider. Unlike true scorpions, the tailless whip scorpion does not have a tail. It is also different from the whip scorpion, that has a whip-like tail. Like other arachnid, the tailless whip scorpion has eight legs. The first pair of legs, however, act as sensory organs. It only uses six legs for walking. The sensory legs are long and thin, extending several times the length of body. The tailless whip scorpion holds one of these legs out in front as it walks, and uses the other to explore to the side. The tailless whip scorpion will dig an underground burrow or live under logs, bark, rocks, leaves and other natural debris. Most are nocturnal and hunt at night. They does not have silk glands or venomous fangs. They have pincer-like pedipalps for catching and holding prey. Adults eat crickets, and other large insects.