Please identify for us
Dear Bugman,
Could you identify this bug for us. We found this one (dead) during our holyday on the coast of Kenya near Mombassa. The body itself is about 5 cm long.Although it looks quite specific, we were not able to find another picture with a name of it It would be very nice if you give this one a name so we are not puzzeld anymore If it is not your area, could you give a place were we could look for it? Thanks,
Rob & Annita
(The Netherlands)
Hi Rob and Annita,
This is a Tailless Whipscorpion, a harmless relative of true scorpions. They are shy nocturnal hunters found in warm climates.
¶ Posted 25 January 2006 § ‡ ° mystery scorpion
I found this little guy under a rock near Death Valley last march, about the size of a grain of rice. I took him home and he’s doing great, with quite the appetite, but I don’t know what species he his or how big he will get. Thanks for the help Bugman and for making an awesome site!
Cheers,
Brandon
Hi Brandon,
This looks like a Desert Scorpion in the genus Vaejovis.
¶ Posted 23 January 2006 § ‡ ° cave critter in Belize
Hi:
We saw this creature in a cave in Belize. The guide said it was a type of scorpion but I have not been able to identify it. Do you know what it is?
Thanks!
Tamara
San Pedro, Belize
Hi Tamara,
This is not a true scorpion, but a Tailless Whipscorpion. They are harmless.
¶ Posted 19 January 2006 § ‡ ° Caribbean Insect
Found this monster in our Cistern Tank room last night. The piece of PVC pipe next to it is 8" long and 3" in diameter. I’ve had tarantulas crawl on me and scorpions sting me in bed, but never have I seen anything here on St. John this big. Can you identify it? No one around here has ever seen one before.
Thanks,
Debbie Grammer
St. John, US Virgin Islands
Hi Debbie,
Tailless Whipscorpions are Arachnids, not insects. Even though they are large and fierce looking, they are shy and harmless.
¶ Posted 30 December 2005 § ‡ ° Mexican Amblypygi
Greetings.
I believe this to be an arachnid Amblypygi but have not been able to find one on the web that is this large or colourful. It was discovered in a kitchen sink on Mexico’s Pacific coast just north of Manzanillo. Contrary to what I’ve read on the web, our Mexican friends attributed paralyzing bites to this insect. Can you give me a bit more information? Also, in trying to identify this insect I’ve noticed whip-scorpion and whip-spider being used – are they they same insect.
Thanks,
Ralph
Hi Ralph,
We have never seen a Tailless Whipscorpion quite like your beauty. When we were in Mexico for a solar eclipse, the locals warned us to stay indoors during totality since scorpions would fall from the sky. There are many unfounded superstitions about many creatures. We have only ever heard that Tailless Whipscorpions possess no venom, hence are harmless. Thank you for the wonderful image. Our Audubon Guide says there are 60 species worldwide and three in North America. Mexico has so many insects, spiders and related Arthropods that this could well be an undescribed species.
¶ Posted 11 November 2005 § ‡ ° Vinagrillo?
We saw this spider in mexico when we were checking out some of the ruins. It was about 3 and 1/2" accross. Could you tell us what it is? and is it dangerous? Thanks.
The Tailless Whipscorpion is harmless.
¶ Posted 12 October 2005 § ‡ ° what’s the name of that thing!
HI, I FOUND THIS STRANGE BUG OR INSECT AND DON’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT IS,PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT ITS NAME AND WHAT CLASS OF INSECT OR BUG IT IS.THIS BUG OR INSECT WAS FOUND BY MYSELF HERE IN GRENADA.
THANK YOU.
DILLON JOHNSON
Hi Dillon,
The Tailless Whipscorpion belongs to the Order Amblypygi. Despite the fierce appearance, they are harmless and actually quite shy nocturnal hunters.
¶ Posted 06 October 2005 § ‡ ° Scorpion Pictures
we found this scorpion yesterday here at work. We get alot of stuff from Asia, but not tropical regions. We are in Chicago Illinois, so I know that this would die here right? Do you know what this one is or where it would come from? Is he venemous? Anything would be nice, cuz right now we have him in a tupperware container with a hole in the top not knowing what to do with him…did someone plant him as a joke, or is he really from Asia? He is about 3 – 4 inches long….totally black from what I can see….hope you can determine something from this…
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
This is most assuredly not a Chicago native. We believe this to be an African Black Scorpion in the genus Pandinus. We found this information on a scorpion collector’s website: “African Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator) WC adults 4″, $15 each These beautiful jet black scorpions are also, pound for pound one of the largest. Gentile in nature for the most part making them ideal pet specimans that rarely sting, and posseses mild venom. These have been a staple scorpion hobby species for many years, and a must for beginners looking for a great start in keeping scorpions. Very cool scorpion! ” In answer to your question about it being planted as a joke: WE THINK SO.
¶ Posted 30 September 2005 § ‡ ° 
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