WHIP spiders are often called tailless whip scorpions, or whip scorpions. Even though they somewhat resemble a scorpion, they are actually more closely related to spiders, hence the common English name of whip spider.

These spiders are common in tropical and subtropical environments worldwide, and very common in Durban. They can grow quite large, with a body diameter being a little bigger than a five rand coin when fully grown.

Also read: Jumping spiders, friends or foes?

Whip spiders have eight legs, however they only use six for walking. They live in dark places and only venture out at night, hence they do not have very good vision, so their first pair of legs are actually used as feelers. The feelers are long and “whip” like, sometimes measuring as much as 15cm long, each.

They have a crab-like sideways walk, all the while feeling around for suitable small prey, such as woodlice. Prey is then grabbed with the large spines on its grasping pedipalps, the claw-like forearms.

Due to the fact that they don’t have venom, they are very nervous creatures, being quick to get out of the way of danger. They are completely harmless, playing dead if one tries to pick them up.

For some reason they often wander into homes, especially during the rainy season.

Also read: Nature’s Calling – Baboon spiders

Like all scorpions and some spiders, the whip spider is a good mother. Females lay their eggs into a sac that is kept under their abdomen. When the young hatch the mother stays with them, having her babies climb on her back where they are kept safe.

Mothers and siblings have been seen communicating with each other using their whip-like forearms, however, scientists are unsure of how or why communication is important to these spiders.

After their first molt the babies move off on their own.

Contact Warren Dick to have some of your interesting spiders, snakes or other wildlife identified. Call or WhatsApp him on 072 211 0353, or visit his Facebook page, Warren’s Small World.

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