Bug of the Week - Tailless Whip Scorpion

Meet this week’s featured bug, Cocoa Puff the tailless whip scorpion! This particular species is native to Tanzania, Africa, but similar whip scorpions can be found across the world in both tropical and desert regions.

Cocoa Puff is a bizarre arachnid with eight legs. Two of the front legs are modified to form long feelers that help her find her way through dark caves. Like many other arachnids, she eats insects. Unlike spiders and scorpions, she has no venom to help her kill her prey. She relies on two spiky grabbers called pedipalps to hold her crickets still while she eats them.

Cocoa Puff’s molted exoskeleton showing her large pedipalps and long feelers

Tailless whip scorpions are shy creatures and completely harmless to humans. They must be handled carefully because their long legs and feelers are very delicate. Although they’re usually slow and cautious, they can move surprisingly fast when startled. They make great pets for observing, but young children should not be allowed to pick them up since they can be quick and fragile.

Meet Cocoa Puff and lots of other cool bugs at one of our insect parties for kids!
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