Tailless Whip Scorpion

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton

A flat, oval body with no tail and a pair of long, whip-like front legs used as feelers. The pedipalps are large and pincer-like, especially in males. The whole animal is covered in a tough, segmented exoskeleton.1

Personality what they are like

Skittish and fast-moving but not aggressive. They rarely use their pincers in defence and prefer to flee. They are harmless to humans as they have no venom.35

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and lucifugous (light-avoiding). They need plenty of vertical climbing surfaces and hiding spots. They become active at night, exploring and hunting.52

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very low maintenance. The main tasks are misting the enclosure once or twice a week to keep humidity high, removing uneaten prey, and ensuring the water dish is always full. They do not need bathing or grooming.32

Home where they are happiest

A tall, vertically oriented terrarium (at least 30 cm tall for an adult) with a damp substrate of coconut fibre, large pieces of cork bark for climbing and hiding, and a shallow water dish. Humidity should be 75-80%, temperature 20-30°C. They cannot climb smooth surfaces like glass, so a mesh lid is fine but should be partly covered to retain moisture. They are not venomous and are legal to keep in most countries, but check local wildlife laws.325

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed appropriately sized crickets or cockroaches once every 7-10 days. They are not big eaters.36

Company who they like around

They can be kept in small groups (one male with two or more females) with little risk of cannibalism if food and hiding places are plentiful. Mothers and young siblings communicate and show social behaviour. They are not venomous and are harmless to humans.3

The story where it all began

Damon diadema was first described by the French arachnologist Eugène Simon in 1876. It has been kept in captivity for decades, though it remains less common than tarantulas or true scorpions. Its popularity has grown among invertebrate enthusiasts because of its unusual appearance, lack of venom, and relatively long lifespan.17