Spider or Insect?

Tailless Whip Scorpion from Barbados

Errrr... I didn't know this existed

Though it looks quite Dangerous, This Tailless Whip Scorpion is perfectly harmless (though not to cockroaches) as it lacks venom. Tailless Whip Scorpions are shy Nocturnal hunters that will keep your home clear of cockroaches and other unwanted guests. As observed, they have the ability to scuttle quickly, often moving sideways like a crab. Tailless Whip Scorpions are found in many locations worldwide, though they are most common in warm regions. Tailless Whip Scorpions are neither spiders nor insects. They are classified as Arachnids, the same class that includes Spiders.


Whip spiders have very special front legs which are much longer and thinner than the other legs. These front legs are actual special sensory legs and are not used for walking, whereas the other six legs certainly are used for walking (or running when required)! These incredible front legs have lots of sensory receptors so that when they probe around as they walk through their habitat they can detect the tiniest vibrations or movements made by potential prey items before the pedipalps are used to grab them.





What isn't clear from this picture is that there are actually babies being carried on the underside of the abdomen too, so the number of babies is even greater than it would at first appear to be!

Also now you know this is why you never Kill spiders in the house.... Imagine if a mother spider was in the house you would cause all of the tiny baby spiders to flee and spread everywhere!!!

Spider Infestation much?!

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