[Andrew Larson]

What are the distinguishing characteristics bewtween N. asper and N. amyae. I see some aspers that are unmistakeable due to their obvious black or gray coloration. Though I see other pictures of Nephrurus that people claim are aspers and they look just brownish orange like an amyae. Is there really a difference that you can see between the two or does it just take a very trained eye to spot the difference?

[Lordoftheswarms]

I suspect that the people labeling their brownish orange Nephrurus as asper are either misinformed, or are misinforming. I don't know for certain though.

[sushigex]

I'd say the big difference is that in the states asper make amyae look cheap. If memory serves me correct amyae are larger that the other subspecies.

[kupper]

amyae are a central australian animal being larger and generally all shades of red to white

Asper are from northern Queensland and are the smaller of the two and usually grey to black in coloration , with the exception of two varieties which come in light red and one banded form

the two cousins also have different husbandry requirements one coming from dry deserts and the other coming from hot humid forest areas

[Andrew Larson]

Really? Asper prefer more humid conditions?

[kupper]

not sure if they prefer it but there natural distribution sure dictates it

[Andrew Larson]

Interesting.

[SteveSharpie]

Size and range are the main differences (as stated above). Adult female asper run about 35g males run about 18g. Amyae adults are a ton bigger adult female amyae run up into the 75+g range while males can go 30+ g. Coloration is another -the lines in the states tend to be shades of grey, black or a mix between the two but they can be shades of brown as well some turn out with really nice banding. I have seen pics of wild asper that are dark brown or shades of tan and brown(I have never seen any that are orange like amyae are, I did hatch out an asper this season that has some orangish brown markings on the flanks and also along the jaws but its very faint). From a captive stand point Temperament is a ton different than amyae, asper are a lot more shy and very flighty compared to amyae. Rather than display they just take off running for cover if disturbed. A friend of mine described them as amyae on a caffeine high. As far as keeping goes I mist them a bit more than the amyae (their habitat is humid)but temps are the same(88 on the warm end ambient room temp on the cool end). This is just my experience with them so far.