Imagine you are a cricket exploring a new environment. Suddenly you feel something pounce on you and jab it's needle like proboscis into your head. There is no escape.
Assassin bugs are awesome predators that will take prey that is very large in proportion to themselves. They are extremely effective and once they bite a prey animal do not let go of it. Holding on until the struggle ends which usually is not long at all. Adults get a little over an inch long and may live a year or two. These insects can deliver a painful bite but do not seem prone to do so unless threatened or harrassed. Assassins can also spray a chemical deterent similar in effect to mace. Care should be taken to avoid being sprayed in the eye and I would not recommend handling as the bite is supposed to be quite painful. These fascinating predators make a great addition to any invert collection.
Tanzanian Giant Banded Tailless Whipscorpion
Tailless whipscorps are one of the strangest, most alien looking creatures around. They have an extremely flattened body and ridiculously long modified legs for finding prey in the dark. Another interesting feature is the speed with which they move. It's more like they warp from place to place rather than move. If you blink they are gone. Whipscorps are completely benign and harmless but shouldn't be handled as the legs break if you look at them too hard. Tailless whipscorpions are truly among the most out of this world animals around.
This Scolopendra species has a nice dark color with bright blue bands on the legs, making it one of the more attractive centipedes. They reach a medium size of 5 inches or so and do not seem to be very flighty as far as Scolopendra go.
Giant Vinegaroon
One of the most bizzare creatures around, Vinegaroons make interesting captives. They can reach an impressive three to four inches in size and will devour crickets readily. They are fairly easy to keep, you should provide a deep substrate for burrowing. Breeding them in captivity can be a bit tricky. Their main defense is the ability to spray a foul vinegar like substance which is origin of their name. Their pinch is mild and they don't offer to do so often. They are docil harmless slow moving and a great addition to any invert collection.
