Giant Centipede Care, Feeding, Supplies...and Warnings!

[findiviglio]

Hi All,
The serious centipede enthusiast can look forward to a lifetime of interest and discovery. Over 3,000 species (class Chilopoda) have been described so far, and we know little about most! Biologists place Centipedes and the world’s 10,000+Millipedes in the same Super Order, Myriapoda, but any similarities end there. The name “Giant Centipede” is applied to a variety of species. Those most commonly seen in trade are the Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantean) and the Vietnamese or Red-headed Centipede (S. subspinipes), but as many as 6 species have been recorded as being sold under the same name.
Centipede ownership requires consideration, and should only be undertaken by mature, cautious adults. Bites from various species have caused fevers, dizziness, cardiac problems, breathing difficulties and fatalities. Allergic reactions to their venom can occur – as evidenced by a Bronx Zoo co-worker of mine, who was hospitalized after being bitten by a species considered to be harmless. Read the rest of this article here Giant Centipede Care, Feeding and Supplies and Warnings!
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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

[Truffs1178]

This has come in handy as it's my birthday in a few weeks and I'm hoping to get some Scolopendra Dehaani.

[findiviglio]

This has come in handy as it's my birthday in a few weeks and I'm hoping to get some Scolopendra Dehaani.

Nice to have a supportive family (I did also)...or are you buying yourself a present!? Best, Frank

[Truffs1178]

It depends. My parents may not want a giant monster like these centipedes in the house.

They said no more pets but they usually make exceptions if it's an insect or in this case a Myriapod. Since they said no more pets are allowed I have got an african bullfrog, three more tarantulas, a lot of mantids, some leaf insects and a few stick insect species so I may be able to pull this off.

[Monza geckos]

Just say most of the phasmides died unexpectedly

[Truffs1178]

Frank have you ever been bit by any Centipedes? I just read that a little girl was killed by Scolopendra Dehaani and am now scared that they could kill me. Or did she die because she was so small?

[Beardo]

I've kept many species of centipedes over the years.....heres a care article I wrote a while back on them, hope it sheds some more light on things for you.

Centipedes in Captivity...

[Truffs1178]

So if a Scolopendra Dehaani were to bite me what do you think would happen? I'll be 17 in a few weeks, I am 170 pounds, about 6 foot, go to the gym a few times a week and I am not allergic to bees so what do you guys think? Could it kill me? Sorry if I keep asking it's just this is something I need to know.

Edit: Here in the UK we get free healthcare so I'm guessing the treatment would be good.

[Mentat]

So if a Scolopendra Dehaani were to bite me what do you think would happen? I'll be 17 in a few weeks, I am 170 pounds, about 6 foot, go to the gym a few times a week and I am not allergic to bees so what do you guys think? Could it kill me? Sorry if I keep asking it's just this is something I need to know.

Edit: Here in the UK we get free healthcare so I'm guessing the treatment would be good.

No one can answer your question with certainty Jack. Doubt it would kill you; but bet $$$ it would be a very unhappy experience . If worried about it stinging you, my recommendation is to pass up on it .

[Truffs1178]

Have you had any centipedes Carlos? I realise that nobody can answer it with 100% certainty but I just want an idea.

[findiviglio]

Frank have you ever been bit by any Centipedes? I just read that a little girl was killed by Scolopendra Dehaani and am now scared that they could kill me. Or did she die because she was so small?

I haven't...never handle them and ultra careful when in the field. A friend was bitten by a species not considered dangerous (Columbia) and wound up hospitalized, very serious. We know little about the venoms of most; mis-identifications common; individual sensitivities, allergies or health concerns can be a factor; as with snakes, venom of same species may vary across it's range, or may evolve rapidly due to the evolution of defenses in prey animals...so, don't get bit!

[Truffs1178]

I'm not planning on trying to get bit.
If I do get one I'll be keeping it in a large glass tank with a heavy lid on and I'll use huge tongs to feed it. Or maybe I'll keep it in a large breeding box, I'm not sure.

[findiviglio]

No one can answer your question with certainty Jack. Doubt it would kill you; but bet $$$ it would be a very unhappy experience . If worried about it stinging you, my recommendation is to pass up on it .

Hi Carlos, please see my response to jack, and pl do not put any stock in weight-lifting or reactions to bees as having any bearing on a scorpion bite. treatment can be difficult, due to all the uncertainties I mentioned in response to jack. best, Frank

[Truffs1178]

Also do you have any idea on how long it would take for a Scolopendra Dehaani to grow to adult from a baby?

I just though that a healthy person like me would be at less of a risk than an unfit person. Also you typed scorpion bite.

[Cap10Squirty]

So if a Scolopendra Dehaani were to bite me what do you think would happen? I'll be 17 in a few weeks, I am 170 pounds, about 6 foot, go to the gym a few times a week and I am not allergic to bees so what do you guys think? Could it kill me? Sorry if I keep asking it's just this is something I need to know.

Edit: Here in the UK we get free healthcare so I'm guessing the treatment would be good.

A kid about your height and weight walked into the pharmacy that I worked in bearing a necrotic hand and looking for over the counter products to treat his centipede bite. Needless to say he was referred to the emergency room because of how far he had let the infection go. I have no idea what exact species it was that caused the bite. Still, the creatures are amusing aren't they? Haha might want to wear gloves on top of the tongs just in case it decides to scale the tongs and jump at you!

Had to comment on this because we're facing a healthcare reform here in the USA and it's been a topic of discussion just about every day during school (pharmacy school)....the "free healthcare" that you are referring to in the UK is actually being paid for by your parent's general taxes. You'd better hope that the potential 3-4 hour wait in a emergency room lobby (which might be in your case of a centipede bite (a minor problem) pays off! :P

[Beardo]

I doubt it would kill you, but every person can react to every venom or foreign biological body differently. I have kept hundreds of centipedes, and never been bit. If you take the proper precautions and respect the animal, you will not have a problem.

Personally, since you are a beginner, I would stay away from babies......they are notoriously difficult to keep alive, hence why you don't see many captive bred centipedes available in the pet trade. I've had issues with baby 'pedes and I've got a crapload of experience lol.

[Truffs1178]

Im now to scared to get a centipede.

There are lots of captive bred centipedes over here. The S. Dehaani is only £4.00 and they just hatched.

[findiviglio]

Also do you have any idea on how long it would take for a Scolopendra Dehaani to grow to adult from a baby?

I just though that a healthy person like me would be at less of a risk than an unfit person. Also you typed scorpion bite.

Hi....'scorpion"..maybe I've been bitten/stung! Thanks, mind wandering. Fitness does have bearing on health in general (or else I've wasted the past few decades!); size as well, re venom distribution, etc. Allergies can be quite specific, no way to extrapolate. Growth rate varies so much, very hard to generalize about captives. I've not raised that species straight through from hatching; related species go through 6-9 molts before reaching sexual maturity.

[findiviglio]

A kid about your height and weight walked into the pharmacy that I worked in bearing a necrotic hand and looking for over the counter products to treat his centipede bite. Needless to say he was referred to the emergency room because of how far he had let the infection go. I have no idea what exact species it was that caused the bite. Still, the creatures are amusing aren't they? Haha might want to wear gloves on top of the tongs just in case it decides to scale the tongs and jump at you!

Had to comment on this because we're facing a healthcare reform here in the USA and it's been a topic of discussion just about every day during school (pharmacy school)....the "free healthcare" that you are referring to in the UK is actually being paid for by your parent's general taxes. You'd better hope that the potential 3-4 hour wait in a emergency room lobby (which might be in your case of a centipede bite (a minor problem) pays off! :P

Thx for bringing up the infection issue, good point...the friend I mentioned, bitten in Columbia, had as much trouble with 2 related infections, it seems, as with the venom. best, Frank

[Mentat]

Hi Carlos, please see my response to jack, and pl do not put any stock in weight-lifting or reactions to bees as having any bearing on a scorpion bite. treatment can be difficult, due to all the uncertainties I mentioned in response to jack. best, Frank

I'm sorry Frank; but was not referring to "weight lifting" or "bees" in my post. My fault for typing the word "stinging" instead of "biting" .