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Togo Starburst Whip Spider (Damon medius)

Damon medius

The Damon medius, known as the 'Togo Starburst Whip Spider'. It is an Amblypygi (Whip Scorpion) of West Africa, closely related to the D. diadema. Of similar size but visually stockier (1.2-2 inches body), it differs by the slightly more evident star-burst pattern on the carapace and an often more contained legspan. Like all Amblypygi it is harmless and devoid of venom, relying on its spiny pedipalps to capture prey. Requires a deeply humid, warm and strictly vertical forest environment (cork barks and simulated rock walls) to allow delicate upside-down molts. Formidable nocturnal animal, it tolerates gregariousness in very large and humid cases.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Amblypygi
Family:Phrynichidae
Genus:Damon
Species:Damon medius

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

70 - 85 %

Day temperature

24 - 28 °C

Night temperature

20 - 22 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The cited study lists Damon medius from Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. It places the species in a four-species West African group described as occurring in rainforests, caves and mesic savanna; this is group-level context, not a captive specification.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The paper’s table of currently accepted species lists Damon medius (Herbst, 1797) in the family Phrynichidae. It does not report a species-specific genetic result here.
Behaviour and Habits: The cited passages do not provide species-specific behavioural observations; none are inferred here.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited paper describes the four-species West African group containing D. medius as large, with body lengths of 30–40 mm. It does not provide a sex-specific comparison for D. medius.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: The cited peer-reviewed study lists Damon medius from West African countries and describes its four-species West African group as occurring in rainforests, caves and mesic savanna. This group-level natural-history context does not establish enclosure dimensions, substrate, furnishings or a captive setup protocol.
Lighting and Heating: The cited study does not provide captive photoperiod or temperature parameters; none are inferred here.
Humidity and Hydration: The study’s group-level habitat context does not establish a captive humidity target or hydration protocol; none is inferred here.
Feeding and Supplementation: The cited study does not establish captive prey, frequency, portions or supplementation; none is inferred here.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited study does not test cohabitation or establish compatibility criteria for Damon medius; no recommendation is inferred.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited study does not provide veterinary or disease-management guidance.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Africa Occidentale (Foreste pluviali, piantagioni e grotte in Togo, Ghana, Benin).

Origin

Africa and Madagascar

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
4 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 4 cm. The Prendini et al. — Damon variegatus group source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Damon medius. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Tailless Whip Scorpion (Damon diadema)

Tailless Whip Scorpion (Damon diadema)

Damon diadema

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Togo Starburst Whip Spider (Damon medius) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium