Asian Whip Scorpion
Thelyphonus doriae
The Thelyphonus doriae, or Asian Whip Scorpion. It shares with its American cousin (M. giganteus) the threatening but harmless appearance, the whip tail and the ability to spray acetic acid. It is however smaller (body 1.6-2 inches) and decidedly more linked to very humid tropical forest environments compared to deserts. The coloring is dark (black or mahogany brown) and it digs intricate galleries in the soaking substrate of the jungles of South-East Asia. Calm and blind, it preys on insects that it crushes with spiny pedipalps. Breeding identical to other Uropygi: requires very deep, warm substrate and perennial humidity to support long underground molts.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
75 - 85 %
Température diurne
24 - 28 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 22 °C
Description de l'espèce
Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts.
Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy lists Thelyphonus doriae Thorell, 1888 as an accepted species in the genus Thelyphonus, family Thelyphonidae and order Uropygi. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited taxonomic facts.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Thelyphonus doriae must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Cette espèce provient de : Sud-Est Asiatico (Foreste pluviali, suoli umidi e grotte in Indonesia, Malesia, Thailandia).
Origine
Asie du Sud et du Sud-EstAsie de l'Est
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- They feed on a variety of terrestrial invertebrates, including crickets, roaches, and mealworms. They are active hunters that grab prey with their spined pedipalps. Maintaining a varied diet of gut-loaded insects ensures they receive the necessary nutrients for growth and longevity.
- Taille adulte
- 3 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- This species is primarily terrestrial and fossorial, thriving in the humid, leaf-littered floors of tropical forests. It utilizes its robust pedipalps to dig burrows in the soil. A captive setup must include deep, damp substrate like coco fiber mixed with soil to facilitate their burrowing behaviors.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- Thelyphonus doriae is a nocturnal species, adapting to avoid the daytime heat of its Southeast Asian habitat. It spends daylight hours concealed in burrows or under forest debris. Activity peaks at night when it exits its retreat to hunt for passing invertebrates on the forest floor.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- Thelyphonus doriae is strictly solitary. They are territorial and highly aggressive toward conspecifics outside of brief mating encounters. Keeping multiple individuals together will result in fighting and cannibalism. Each specimen must have its own secure, adequately sized enclosure.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Reproduction involves the male depositing a spermatophore and guiding the female to accept it. The female eventually retreats to a sealed burrow to lay her eggs. The newly hatched young will cling to their mother's back until they undergo their first molt, absorbing nutrients from her.
- Venimeux
- No
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- Handling is not recommended as it stresses the animal. While not venomous, they can pinch effectively with their strong pedipalps. When threatened, they will deploy their primary defense mechanism, spraying a pungent acetic acid mixture from the base of their flagellum (tail).
- Brumation
- Non requise
- Native to tropical Southeast Asia, this species requires a consistently warm and humid environment throughout the entire year. They do not undergo brumation, and exposing them to significant drops in temperature can cause severe metabolic stress, lethargy, and potentially death.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Molting occurs underground in a sealed burrow. The process can be lengthy, taking several weeks to complete. The animal is extremely vulnerable during this time and must not be unearthed or disturbed, as disrupting the molt will almost certainly result in the death of the specimen.
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