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Centipedes

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Scolopendra mutilans Chinese Red Head

These beautiful centipedes from China bear a striking resemblance to the red headed centipedes of Texas and New Mexico. Where they differ markedly is in behavior. While Scolopendra heros 'castaneiceps' is quite aggressive toward conspecifics, Scolopendra mutilans often do quite well in a communal setting. Most people find the combination of purplish black body, bright orange head, and bright yellow legs to look almost artificial and to be quite visually striking. These attractive and relatively mellow centipedes are highly recommended.

Scolopendra polymorpha

     This Scolopendra polymorpha is a local Arizona species. Polymorpha is Latin for 'many form' and it lives up to its name. We have seen these entirely yellow, orange, blue, and any gradation in between. In December of 2000 we spotted a baby blue polymorpha with bluish black bars within the Phoenix city limits. We were recently pleased to see a specimen at the Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute about seven inches long and about as big around as a finger. We keep these on soil just damp enough to change the color. A bit of sand in the soil mix is ideal. Keep the substrate shallow if you wish to easily view your centipedes. These creatures are voracious predators that inject venom with forelegs which have been modified to function as fangs. They thrive on a diet of crickets or cockroaches that have been fed nutritiously. Humidity is easily supplied by daily misting. Even a very small polymorpha is capable of administering a bite capable of causing sharp discomfort. Pain arising from the bite of larger polymorpha may well be proportionate, and additional effects remain unknown. Handling is therefore NOT recommended. The picture to the left above is one of the low desert forms. Those to the right are high desert forms. The rightmost centipede is coiled around a clutch of eggs. She will continue to hold her young in this manner until dispersal.

Scolopendra viridis

Scolopendra viridis is often mistaken for S. polymorpha and vice versa. Actually though they are quite visually and physically distinct animals. Most obvious is that S. viridis tops out at about three inches whereas we've seen S. polymorpha reach sizes of seven inches or more. 'Viridis' comes from a root meaning 'spring' and 'green'. S. viridis are often found in spring when snow melt forces them up from below. They also invariably have a blend of green and beige coloration, even if this results in an overall olive. In accordance with 'spring green' S. viridis also shows a strong affinity for living amidst pine and pine debris, a situation that S. polymorpha, often living only a few feet away,  appear to avoid at all costs. It is quite possible that in adapting to pine turpenes and a higher level of moisture that S. viridis has inadvertently found a way to protect it from predation by its larger relative. The female in the photo above is coiled tightly about a clutch of eggs.

Scolopendra subspinipes

   We weren't sure whether we wanted to feature a picture of this centipede twisting its head into the substrate but decided that this was an appropriate pose. Subspinipes is probably second in size only to the giganteus varieties, and it would be an understatement to say that ours can become quite animated when their enclosures are opened. At cage cleaning time it can be advantageous to immediately feed the animal as it will be preoccupied in consuming the prey item. Large crickets, large cockroaches and fuzzy mice are appropriate. These are an Asian tropical species complex and benefit from higher humidity.

  We find this species complex to be quite interesting, having several variations. The most common is probably the variety pictured above. Also of interest is the variation which has bright yellow legs. Varieties of subspinipes appear to be distributed throughout the Asian area and exactly which variations come from exactly where remains little studied. Specimens are frequently seen from Indonesia, but lately some Chinese specimens have been finding their way to market. The yellow legged variety may be Scolopendra subspinipes de haani.

   All of these centipedes are voracious predators and their venom can be medically significant. A bite to the skin that does not reach a vein or artery produces extreme pain, headaches, vomiting, and more. Complications can lead to necrosis in the area of the bite. At this writing, only one death has been reported, a young girl who was bitten on the head. Treat all centipedes with respect.

Scolopendra species Tanzanian blue ring

Above is a photo of a Tanzanian Scolopendra centipede known as the 'Blue ringed' centipede for the blue rings on its legs. This species bears a strong resemblance to both the Tanzanian blueleg, a centipede described on other websites, and also to Scolopendra morsitans. We believe it to be either the same as the blueleg or possibly neither of the two. Color is an exceptionally poor indicator of species with centipedes, many species having several color morphs, and many African centipedes appear to be as yet undescribed. This species is a grassland species cared for much as other large centipedes (apparently up to about 9 inches) except a bit less moisture than for the tropical species. Note that less moisture does not ever mean to keep any species of centipede on sand! Partially dry peat moss or potting soil will do nicely. The colors of this species do not photograph well. Despite appearances, the body is purple, the legs orange with blue bands around them. Quite attractive perhaps even to the most jaded of invertebrate keepers.

Scolopendra heros arizonensis

Scarce at best, these desert creatures can be quite difficult to capture. They tend to favor the more remote areas. This particular specimen was collected in a southeastern Arizona mountain range. Like the grassland species, this centipede can be kept more dry than the tropical types, but remember that if the substrate is drier, the centipede will need access to a water dish to avoid having a dried, rather than a living specimen. Centipedes can take quite a while to dry out, but once they begin to, the process is quite rapid. Even in the heart of the desert, these creatures will be found underground where the moisture is, or coming out in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. Darrin has been in a canyon when it began to rain lightly and a group of adult S. h. arizonensis quickly emerged from the ground and began running around the canyon walls catching moths and other insects that were landing there to escape the minor downpour. Can you guess which end is the head without clicking on the picture to view the enlargement?

African Tiger centipede Scolopendra species

   This is an African species, obviously with a beige to yellow background color, bold black stripes, and a bright orange head. We have little information on these other than that they appear to be quite hardy and respond well to the medium humidity and temperature range for Scolopendra. Then again, this is all that we have tried thus far. Estimates on size are that these top out at 5 inches, though we would not be in the least surprised if they were to grow quite a bit larger in captivity. Those in our personal collection have already reached up to 4 1/2 inches. We find these to have a somewhat different body shape than most commonly kept centipedes in that the body appears to be larger proportionately than the head. Darrin was very appreciative of this when one bit him recently. Fortunately, it appeared to be a 'dry bite' with no venom injected, and the effects were minimal. Handling not recommended. We would appreciate any information on this species available, particularly the species name. Note that the female on the right above is wrapped around a group of eggs.

Scolopendra alternans

This 8+ inch plus specimen originated from the West Indies. Big, bad, be careful.

Scolopendra heros castaneiceps

   This centipede is our visual favorite for obvious reasons. Body color is blue to purple to black with bright yellow legs and a brilliant orange head. To us these sometimes don't quite look real. A healthy and hungry Sonoran desert species, these still benefit from being misted. Crickets and cockroaches are ideal foods. Darrin captured an 8 inch castaneiceps once that was crossing the road at night on the way to an American Tarantula Society show in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The problem that immediately presented itself was that of getting 8 inches of biting speed demon into a 4 inch deli cup...

Scolopendra gigantea robusta

   This brighter variety of Scolopendra gigantea is one rough customer. They can attain a length of a foot or more. Crickets are too small to be useful. Larger cockroaches are fine. This creature also benefits from misting, but be sure that you have a tall container as these creatures become quite active if misted directly and you must be well prepared. Putting the container into a larger outer tub during maintenance can be very useful in preventing escape during maintenance. One robusta that he own is the only invertebrate we have given a pet name. When we were opening the box it arrived in, David Letterman was on the television. He said, "Now that's a Big Ass Ham!". Big Ass Ham was over 12 inches at last measurement and is still growing. Many of these that we see on the market arrive in Peruvian imports. Recent changes in the Peruvian export law may or may not effect availability. Reports are that this species is being redefined by the taxonomists and may more properly be called 'Scolopendra species' but until the new name is delivered, we will continue to use the old for clarity and continuity.