order

Tailless Whipscorpions

Amblypygi

Field notes

Amblypygi is an order of arachnids also known as whipspiders or tailless whipscorpions. The name "amblypygid" means "blunt tail", a reference to a lack of the flagellum that is otherwise seen in whipscorpions. Amblypygids possess no silk glands or venom. They rarely bite if threatened but can grab fingers with their pedipalps, resulting in thorn-like puncture injuries.

As of 2026, five families, 18 genera, and around 280 species had been discovered and described. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, mainly in warm and humid environments. They like to stay protected and hidden within leaf litter, caves, or underneath bark. Some species are subterranean; all are nocturnal. Fossilized amblypygids have been found dating back to the Carboniferous period, such as Weygoldtina.

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Range

United States

Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided