S. heros (Giant Desert Centipede)

Scolopendra (Giant Centipede)

 * Level: Beginner-Intermediate
 * Native Habitat: This species is found in the American Southwest and Mexico. Although often considered a desert species S. heros can be found in an array of habitats including scrub land, pastures, and forested regions.


 * Common Names
 * Giant Desert Centipede
 * Giant Sonoran Centipede
 * Giant American Centipede
 * Texas Redheaded Centipede
 * Giant Redheaded Centipede

Captive Habitats

 * Enclosure Type: Terrestrial/Fossorial; Babies can live in a roomy clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. The tank should be twice as long, and at least as wide as the individual. Floor space is as important as height. In this case, the height is not important for climbing, just to prevent escapes by the centipede running up the side of the tank.


 * Substrate: 2-4 " (5-10cm) of natural soil (treated for parasites,) potting soil, and coconut coir are all usable substrate. Sand, small stones, leaf litter and twigs can be mixed with the substrate to create a more natural environment.  Providing enough substrate to burrow into is essential, a top layer of leaf litter, moss or natural bark and twigs offer additional cover and help to retain moisture.
 * Conditions: Semi-dry; All centipedes should have some water access in the enclosure. The substrate should retain some moisture but not to the degree of being considerably damp.
 * Humidity: Semi-dry; Sparse misting is advisable to retain soil moisture.
 * Temp: 68-86*F(20-30*C); Room Temperature is generally adequate. In its native range S. heros experiences temperature extremes from well below freezing in the winter months to dry hot summers over 105*F(40*C.)

Husbandry

 * Temperment: Nervous and Aggressive (handling not advised) the bite of this species can be very painful
 * Behavior: This can very among individuals of the species, while some may be very active and athletic, others may be more reclusive.
 * Size: 6.5-8 " (16.5-20cm)
 * Social: No; Keeping multiple centipedes together is not recommended.
 * Life Span: 6-10 years
 * Venom: Bites can be painful for several hours.
 * Feeding: Crickets, roaches, meal worms, etc (larger individuals will accept pinkies if you have the stomach for it, feeding on vertebrates tends to be a messy affair.)
 * Cleaning: The enclosure should be regularly cleared of waste material from feeding to prevent molding, but changing the substrate should be limited to avoid undo stress on the centipede.