Haltung und Zucht der Geißelspinne (Damon variegatus) (Phrynichidae) (Chelicerata: Amblypygi)

In the temporary carboniferous hall of „GONDWANA - Das Prähistorium“ in Germany, whip spiders (Damon variegatus) were kept and bred. 3,3 were purchased from a dealer in summer 2007. The night active spiders were kept together in a terrarium. No aggresions were observed. The animals were fed little locusts, young hissing cockroaches, and crickets. In 2008 courtship display and mating could be observed. The biggest male was the only active one. After 7 days after the intake of the spermatophores all females carried eggsacs under the ophistosoma. Each egg sack contained approximately 25-30 eggs. During the carrying phase only one female feasted on a cricket. 98 days after the egg sack was produced the young spiderlings hatched. The coloration of the spiderlings was completely different from the coloration of the adults. The spiderlings were carried by the female for the next 9 days. Then, the spiderlings moulted and left the female immediately. The adults were now separated from their young. The three groups of spiderlings stayed together in a smaller terrarium. However, each group from each female stayed separate from the others for weeks. The second moulting took place 41 days after the first one. No cannibalism was observed. Obviously Damon variegatus seems to be a spider with a social touch. If the terrarium and the climate conditions inside are adapted to the needs of the whip spiders keeping and breeding is possible. The species is highly attractive to visitors.