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Giant desert centipede
Scolopendra heros
An impressive North American centipede known for its large size and painful venom. Requires secure, escape-proof housing and experience handling fast-moving venomous invertebrates.
Class:Chilopoda
Order:Scolopendromorpha
Family:Scolopendridae
Genus:Scolopendra
Species:Scolopendra heros
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
45 - 60 %
Ambient temperature
24 - 28 °C
Day temperature
26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Substrate depth
>= 8 cm
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It inhabits rocky hillsides, canyons, and desert scrub, sheltering under rocks or logs during the day.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the class Chilopoda, order Scolopendromorpha, family Scolopendridae. The species exhibits several regional color morphs (such as "castaneiceps" with a red head) adapted to different environmental conditions.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal, solitary, and highly aggressive predator. It is exceptionally fast and defensive; it will bite readily using its venomous forcipules (modified legs) if provoked or handled.
Morphology: Can reach lengths of 16-20 cm (6.5 to 8 inches), making it one of the largest centipede species in North America. The body has 21 segments, each with a pair of yellow or orange legs, and features a distinct black, yellow, or red-orange head coloration.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a secure, escape-proof terrarium (minimum 18x12x12 inches / 45x30x30 cm). Sliding lids with fine metal mesh and secure latches are mandatory, as they can fit through tiny gaps. Use a substrate of coconut fiber or peat moss mixed with sand (2-3 inches deep).
Lighting and Heating: Maintain daytime temperatures of 24-28°C (75-82°F) using a heat pad on one side. Night temperatures can drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F). No special lighting or UVB is required.
Humidity and Hydration: Being a desert species, it prefers lower humidity (40-50%), but a corner of the substrate must be kept slightly damp. Provide a shallow, heavy water dish that cannot be easily tipped over.
Feeding and Supplementation: Highly voracious predator. Feed appropriately sized crickets, roaches, mealworms, and occasionally pinky mice for large adults. Direct vitamin supplementation is not required if prey is gutloaded.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Housing specimens together will result in lethal fights and cannibalism.
Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to fungal infections (mycosis) and mites if kept in overly damp conditions. The venom is highly painful and clinically significant to humans; handle only with long tweezers and avoid any direct contact.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It inhabits rocky hillsides, canyons, and desert scrub, sheltering under rocks or logs during the day.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsExtra-Amazon South AmericaCentral America and CaribbeanNorth America
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Venom level
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 20 cm. The Animal Diversity Web — Scolopendra heros source reports a maximum adult measurement of 20 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Scolopendra heros. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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