Species Fact Profile: Vietnamese Giant Centipede

Vietnamese Giant Centipede

Scolopendra subspinipes (Leach, 1815)

Range: Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia.  Has been observed in many other locations in the tropics and subtropics around the world (including Hawaii), possibly part of its natural range, possibly due to introduction by humans
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Forest
Diet: Primarily insects and other arthropods, but occasionally small vertebrates, such as mice and small lizards.  Will attempt to kill and eat any animal smaller than itself
Social Grouping: Solitary
Reproduction: Males deposit packets of mature sperm cells which are picked up by the female, who will use it to fertilize her eggs.  The 50-80 eggs are laid in a dark, protected area.  Incubation is about one month.  The female will protect the eggs and the hatchlings until their first molt
Lifespan: 10 Years
Conservation Status: Not Listed

• One of the largest centipedes in the world, growing up to 20 centimeters long or more
• Red-brown body is comprised of 21 flattened segments, each with a single pair of yellow legs (contrary to their name, no species of centipede has one-hundred legs).  The head segment is covered with a shield plate and a pair of antennae.  A specialized pair of modified legs called the forcipules are located on the head.  These are the primary weapons, connected to the centipede's venom glands
• Primarily nocturnal, spend the day in dark, enclosed areas, such as crevices or under logs
• Molt once a year, growing each time.  They achieve adult size by 3-4 years old
• One of the most common centipedes in the pet trade, popular due to their size and striking appearance.  They have a reputation of being nervous and aggressive which, combined with their toxicity (their bite can cause extreme pain and swelling), means that handling is not recommended
• This is the only centipede species which has been implicated in the death of a human - a young girl from the Philippines who was bitten on her head.  Some individuals can have allergic reactions to the venom of this and other centipedes
• Multiple subspecies have been described over the vast range, but the taxonomy is still uncertain, and some of these may be separate species, or represent centipedes transported outside of their natural range