My first giant Vinegaroon/whip scorpion/Thelyphonida or their scientific name Mastigoproctus giganteus arrived today in the mail, from Peter see the page here. 
It of course arrived safely, and was up and running around it's habitat soon after. It's a bit on edge from shipping (understandably), and struck the squirting pose a few times when I got close adjusting it's habitat. I figured I'd have to give it a few days to relax before working on getting it hand tamed.
Currently it measures in a about 1" (2.5cm) body size, or about 3" (7.6cm) including it's whips and tail - so it's a bit over a 1/3 of it's adult size (2.75" (7cm) to 3" (7.6cm) body size). So it should be around for several years and was one of the things that drew me to the species as they live on average 4-7 years, with some claiming upwards of 10 years. Sadly that is one thing you will not hear with mantises.
I have it setup in a 14" (35.5cm) long x 10" (25cm) wide x 6" (15cm) high habitat (6" (15cm) above the 3" (7.6cm) to 4" (10cm) substrate I made it a bit hilly for decoration). With several rock hides and flat pieces of bark (most half buried), and enough room to do some burrowing. It also has a small water dish with a tiny amount of water, set below the substrate. I figured as it grows I will give it a larger habitat with 6" (15cm) of substrate or more for digging. The substrate is a mixture (with small pebbles) and holds together very well and doesn't collapse so there should be no problems there.
Below are a few shots of the current setup and my Vinegaroon. Thanks again Peter!
I have to be honest I have no idea why there are so many videos and photos of "Vinegaroons" online that are clearly not the correct species, even when using the scientific name - I'm talking about the mixed up Amblypygi sp. of course. Mastigoproctus has some big girth pincers (pedipalps) and a long single tail, and Amblypygi has gigantically long arms/legs with two small tails and even looks different on many other points (not to mention the spraying only done by the Mastigoproctus). To me the confusion is like someone calling a Koi (Nishikigoi) a Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and feeling blissful in their ignorance. I find it frustrating when looking online for their care or setup as few seem to know what they have - so how can you trust their advice. I know the species shared the same order Pedipalpi, but... rant over.
Also my wife allows me to keep my various jumping spiders (Salticidae), in particular the Phidippus sp., but says I can't have any spiders larger than that. Currently she doesn't know my Vinegaroon is a arachnid officially, and I won't be telling her anytime soon.
It of course arrived safely, and was up and running around it's habitat soon after. It's a bit on edge from shipping (understandably), and struck the squirting pose a few times when I got close adjusting it's habitat. I figured I'd have to give it a few days to relax before working on getting it hand tamed.
Currently it measures in a about 1" (2.5cm) body size, or about 3" (7.6cm) including it's whips and tail - so it's a bit over a 1/3 of it's adult size (2.75" (7cm) to 3" (7.6cm) body size). So it should be around for several years and was one of the things that drew me to the species as they live on average 4-7 years, with some claiming upwards of 10 years. Sadly that is one thing you will not hear with mantises.
I have it setup in a 14" (35.5cm) long x 10" (25cm) wide x 6" (15cm) high habitat (6" (15cm) above the 3" (7.6cm) to 4" (10cm) substrate I made it a bit hilly for decoration). With several rock hides and flat pieces of bark (most half buried), and enough room to do some burrowing. It also has a small water dish with a tiny amount of water, set below the substrate. I figured as it grows I will give it a larger habitat with 6" (15cm) of substrate or more for digging. The substrate is a mixture (with small pebbles) and holds together very well and doesn't collapse so there should be no problems there.
Below are a few shots of the current setup and my Vinegaroon. Thanks again Peter!
I have to be honest I have no idea why there are so many videos and photos of "Vinegaroons" online that are clearly not the correct species, even when using the scientific name - I'm talking about the mixed up Amblypygi sp. of course. Mastigoproctus has some big girth pincers (pedipalps) and a long single tail, and Amblypygi has gigantically long arms/legs with two small tails and even looks different on many other points (not to mention the spraying only done by the Mastigoproctus). To me the confusion is like someone calling a Koi (Nishikigoi) a Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and feeling blissful in their ignorance. I find it frustrating when looking online for their care or setup as few seem to know what they have - so how can you trust their advice. I know the species shared the same order Pedipalpi, but... rant over.
Also my wife allows me to keep my various jumping spiders (Salticidae), in particular the Phidippus sp., but says I can't have any spiders larger than that. Currently she doesn't know my Vinegaroon is a arachnid officially, and I won't be telling her anytime soon.
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