Whip spider

Whip Spider

Online Biology Dictionary

Read about: Whip scorpions → Spider anatomy → Arachnids →

A whip spider is any arachnid belonging to the order Amblypygi. Also known as tailless whip-scorpions or amblypygids, they have well-developed, pincerlike pedipalps, as do scorpions, but lack a tail (thus, their name: ambly = blunt, and pygi = rumps). These arachnids are 4-45 mm (0.16-1.8 in) long. Most amblypygids are nocturnally active and prefer a humid environment. All lack both silk and venom.

The first of the four pairs of appendages corresponding to the walking legs of spiders, is not used in locomotion. Instead each of these members is a thin, whiplike sensory organ, several times the length of the body, used to detect prey in darkness. Amblypygids walk sideways like a crab, extending one whip ahead and the other far out to either side.

Geographic range: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

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