118 WHIP-SCORPIONS AND OTHERS 



without water for several weeks without apparent discomfort. It 

 appears, too, to be of a somewhat less timid disposition. 



Food and feeding habits 



Whip-scorpions feed chiefly on insects such as cockroaches, 

 grasshoppers, caterpillars and termites, as well as worms and slugs, 

 which they seize quickly with their sharp pedipalps. According to 

 Graveley (1915) it is almost impossible to observe the feeding of 

 the nocturnal Ceylon species Lahochirus proboscideus in its natural 

 haunts. Even in captivity it is very shy of any light after emerging 

 from its hiding place in search of food, but will eat as often as 

 suitable prey is provided. It will accept winged termites, small 

 locusts and roaches, especially when these are disabled, but is 

 easily 'frightened' by larger insects and by very active ones. The 

 prey is seized between the pedipalps and held between them and 

 the prosoma: little use appears to be made of the chelae. The 

 chelicerae are provided with brushes of hairs which may serve to 

 filter the blood of the dismembered prey. They are also used in 

 cleaning the terminal segments of the legs. The antenniform first 

 legs are generally held directed forwards and usually somewhat 

 outwards in an arched position. As the animal moves along they 

 are lowered alternately from time to time until the tip comes in 

 contact with the ground, and then raised again. It is not known for 

 certain whether this species drinks water as so many others do, 

 but it is highly probable. 



When hunting, the large American Mastigoproctus giganteus 

 moves slowly and cautiously with its formidable palps outstretched 

 and open, feeling and touching all objects about it with its sensory 

 first legs, until it discovers an insect which it grasps. The prey is 

 then carried into the burrow as a cat carries a mouse. Alternate 

 striking and grappling movements of the palps carry the attached 

 prey firmly towards the chelicerae. This large species has been 

 known to eat small frogs and toads, but on the whole Thelyphonida 

 are very timid creatures. Nevertheless, when introduced to one 

 another in close quarters, they engage in fierce battles in which 

 one or both of the contestants is frequently killed or mutilated. 



In captivity, specimens of Thelyphonus skimkewitchii feed readily 

 on dead insects, first carefully and slowly examining the object 



