Japanese Vinegaroon

Description

Japanese Vinegaroon “Ninjaroons”, Typopeltis stimpsonii

These mysterious creatures are large, non-venomous arachnids. Their front two legs have evolved into feelers, while the pedipalps (pincers) are very odd with three clasping sections where scorpions just have two. Where a scorpion has a stinger and a tail, these instead have a long whip. Excluding the tail adults of this species appear to measure about two inches. Amazingly, this animal is completely harmless to humans. They do, however, emit a spray that smells like vinegar (hence the name) and I’d recommend not putting the bug in your mouth or near your eyes and face any sooner than you’d pour vinegar on these places.

Remaining specimens have bodies measuring about 1.25 to 1.5 inches. A few of the specimens are missing about 1/3 of their tails. These usually grow back perfectly after a subsequent molt though completely tailless vinegaroons are quite common in hobby tanks. The perfect specimens will ship first!