Togo Starburst Whip Spider
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.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
70 - 85 %
Température diurne
24 - 28 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 22 °C
Description de l'espèce
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.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
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.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Cette espèce provient de : Africa Occidentale (Foreste pluviali, piantagioni e grotte in Togo, Ghana, Benin).
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- They prey on appropriately sized insects, using their spined pedipalps to seize and hold the food. Crickets and various roaches make excellent staples. They hunt using ambush tactics or slow stalking, guided by the sensory input from their whip-like antenniform legs.
- Taille adulte
- 4 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- This species is adapted for a vertical, arboreal lifestyle in humid tropical forests of West Africa. They move sideways with remarkable agility. Their flattened anatomy allows them to inhabit narrow gaps, while their elongated whip-like legs constantly probe the darkness for both prey and structural navigation.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- Damon medius is entirely nocturnal and photophobic. They remain hidden away during the day in complete darkness, typically within deep tree hollows or rocky crevices. As night falls, they emerge cautiously, relying entirely on tactile and chemical senses to navigate their environment.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- Like Damon diadema, Damon medius can often be kept in communal groups under the right conditions. This requires a very large enclosure with multiple vertical hiding spots (like overlapping cork bark flats) to allow individuals to establish their own territories and retreat from one another.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding involves intricate tactile communication. The male deposits a spermatophore which the female picks up. The female later produces a brood sac attached beneath her abdomen. Once hatched, the transparent young cling to the mother's back for several weeks until their first molt.
- Venimeux
- No
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- Direct physical handling should be avoided. While completely harmless to humans, they are skittish and easily stressed. Sudden movements can cause them to dart unpredictably or shed their delicate sensory legs in a panic response. Coaxing them into a catch cup is the safest transfer method.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- Damon medius originates from consistent tropical climates and does not undergo seasonal brumation. They require warm temperatures and high humidity consistently throughout the year. Care must be taken to prevent temperatures from dropping significantly, which could negatively impact their immune system and digestion.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Successful molting requires adequate vertical space. The animal will hang securely from a rough surface to pull itself out of the old exoskeleton. High humidity is critical to prevent the old skin from adhering to the delicate sensory whips, which can lead to severe deformation.
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