Scolopendra gigantea - The World's Largest Centipede

[Nanotrev]

So! I'm trying to work on getting these babies imported and I'm looking here and there for leads though I think I've already found my source. Soon enough I'll breed the ones I get in and make them available, captive bred for the first time in the invertebrate hobby here in the United States. From what I hear, very, very few people have ever managed to breed them and I'm determined to see it done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UROVfmY3NTA

Why keep one as a pet? They're amazing, one, and two they're very easy to take care of. Unlike their cousins in Vietnam they're not too venomous though they do get to be quite massive. They also seem to be much more calm though I wouldn't recommend handling them. As always, anyone can be allergic to bites from just about every critter under the sun so you should be careful when moving them around.

Aside from all that they're very different animals to say the least. I feed my Scolopendra subspinipes a few crickets every week, and the crickets cost around sixteen cents each so they're VERY economical to keep. Most do not require any additional heating and do quite well as long as their humidity is kept around 60-70%. 80% humidity would be even better but the lower ranges can suffice.

Just thought you guys would be interested in learning about a different kind of pet.

[GormanGhaste]

Thanks for sharing, they are very striking! I'm not sure I'd be up to taking care of one, though. We do have millipedes.

[Nanotrev]

A lot of people like milipedes actually. Are yours african giant milipedes?

[GormanGhaste]

Yes, we've had them about 10 years.

[Rhyela]

Giant, hairy tarantulas? No problem! Centipedes? *runs and screams like a little girl*

I don't know why, but centipedes are probably the only insect that give me the willies. Well, those and whiptail scorpions.