Vietnam Giant Centipede (Red Riossi)

Centipedes

MOQ 20 head

Partners Only

20 – 25 cm body length (one of the largest Scolopendra)

Medically significant — one of the largest giant centipedes, with a powerful bite that causes severe throbbing pain, marked swelling and sometimes nausea, fever or swollen lymph nodes. Rarely fatal to healthy adults but among the most painful invertebrate bites; treat with the utmost caution.

The red-legged Vietnamese giant centipede (a dehaani colour form). Humid tropical forest and plantation floor across mainland Southeast Asia; burrows and hides under logs, rocks and leaf litter. 0 – 1,000 m.

An aggressive generalist — insects, arthropods, geckos, frogs, small mammals and nestling birds. Nocturnal venomous active hunter that overpowers sizeable prey.

24 – 28 °C ambient — 22 °C cool end

75 – 85 %. Deep moisture-holding substrate kept damp below a drier top layer; always a water dish.

None required (nocturnal).

Crickets, roaches and locusts; large adults take the occasional pinky. Adults every 7 – 10 days; juveniles weekly.

Terrestrial/fossorial, 12 – 18 cm of moist substrate for burrowing, cork hides and a heavy, clip-locked escape-proof lid. Min 35 × 25 cm. Keep singly.

Fast, aggressive and quick to bite; a formidable escape artist. Strictly hands-off — experienced keepers and long tongs only.