05/05/2026
π΅οΈββοΈ ALIEN ALERT IN KZN! π½πΏβ¨
βHey everyone! Tyler here from SnakeSense Education! ππ Did you know that I am also a Junior with Honorary Officers of Ezemvelo, specifically with Lions River Honorary Officers group. With them, Iβve just spent an absolutely epic weekend out at Fountainhill Estate near Wartburg π³ partaking in a iNaturalist - southern Africa Bioblitz. πΏπ¦πͺ
It was a βBrilliant Bioblitz ππ¦With results rolling in! Participants are still busy uploading their incredible finds, But so far this past weekend is already showing OVER 250 SPECIES IDENTIFIED! ππ¦πΈ From rare flowers to funky beetles, our biodiversity is off the charts! ππ₯
βOne of the most "out of this world" creatures I photographed was this amazing Whipspider (Order: Amblypygi)! π·οΈπΈ
Check out why these guys are the ultimate cool-factor of the bush:
ββ¨ THE "GENTLE GIANT" OF ARACHNIDS β¨
Even though they look like they belong in a sci-fi movie, Whipspiders (or Tailless Whip Scorpions) are total softies! π§Έ They aren't true spiders or scorpions. They don't make webs πΈοΈπ« andβbest of all for moms and dads, they have NO venom! π«π§ͺ They are 100% harmless to humans. ππ
ββ¨ RADAR-LIKE WHIPS β¨
Check out those super long, skinny front legs! ππ·οΈ They aren't for walking; they are like high-tech sensors or "whips." π‘ Because they love the night π, they use these legs to gently "feel" their way around dark cracks and find their dinner. In a big one, those legs can reach 25 cm tip-to-tip! π²π
ββ¨ PROUDLY KZN β¨
The one in my photo is likely Damon annulatipes, which is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. πΏπ¦π That means this specific kind of whipspider lives right here and nowhere else on Earth! πβ¨
ββ¨ SUPER MOMS β¨
Whipspider moms are total legends. π€± They carry their eggs in a sac under their bellies, and once they hatch, the tiny babies ride on their mom's back, just like scorpions, until they are ready to explore! πΆπ¦π
βπΏ CALLING ALL YOUNG EXPLORERS! πΏ
Nature is the best playground ever! π³πββοΈ We want to encourage all you kids (and parents!) to get outside, look under old logs, and peek into rock crevices. πͺ΅π
βGrab a phone, download the iNaturalist app π±π¦, and start recording your finds. When you become a Citizen Scientist, you are helping real researchers protect our incredible wildlife! ππ‘οΈπ
βπ BRING THE MAGIC TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! π
βWant to WOW your friends and learn something mind-blowing? π€©
SnakeSense Education is ready to visit your school, birthday party, or community event in the KZN Midlands! ποΈπ
βSafety First: Our collection consists of exotic species kept as pets. π¦π
βPeace of Mind: NO venomous snakes are brought to any events with children. Itβs all about safe, hands-on learning! π«ππ«
βLetβs inspire the next generation of conservationists together! πΏππ₯
βπ Contact Tyler today for rates and travel costs: π± 063 347 7732
β πΏπ¦π·οΈβ¨ποΈπΈοΈπΏπ¦πππππ‘ππ²π§ββοΈππ©Ήπ΅οΈββοΈπ¦β¨βοΈπββοΈπ¨πͺπ½πΈ