Also called “whip scorpions,” or “vinegaroons,” giant uropygids are scorpion-like arachnids found in jungles, forests and the underdark. Around 8 feet long, a giant uropygid has a pair of spiked claws to grasp prey and four pairs of legs; the first pair of legs are elongated into two thin antennae-like feelers and they walk with the other six. Instead of a sting, its abdomen ends in a long whiplike appendage that functions as a third antennae. Their chitin-plated bodies are shades of tan, brown or black.

Nocturnal predators who mostly prey on creatures much smaller than themselves, uropygids prefer warm and damp places where they can burrow through loose leaves and soil. They dig out lairs in the earth or hide in naturally occurring humid cavities, such as the space under a fallen tree or slab of rock. Females seal themselves in such hollows when they lay their eggs then carry their young about on their backs. Newborn uropygids are eerily pale.

A giant uropygid is not as aggressive as a giant scorpion or giant solifugid, for it lacks their venom and strength. It can be surprisingly timid, avoiding creatures who rival its size and fleeing if injured.

These creatures are called vinegaroons from their ability to spray a noxious vinegar-scented liquid at their enemies. This ability is normally used defensively, an uropygid trying to defeat dangerous prey or flee a threat usually uses its spray.

(Uropygids first appeared as Giant Pedipalps (Uropygi) in Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits (1980) by Gary Gygax and David C. Sutherland III, the original author was Sutherland)