Scolopendra gigantea

Taxobox
name = "Scolopendra gigantea"


regnum = Animalia
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Myriapoda
classis = Chilopoda
ordo = Scolopendromorpha
familia = Scolopendridae
genus = "Scolopendra"
species = "S. gigantea"
binomial = "Scolopendra gigantea"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)

"Scolopendra gigantea", the Peruvian giant yellowleg centipede or Amazonian giant centipede, is the largest representative of the genus "Scolopendra", regularly reaching lengths of 26 cm and can exceed 30 cm. [cite journal |quotes=no |author=R. M. Shelley & S. B. Kiser |title=Neotype designation and a diagnostic account for the centipede, "Scolopendra gigantea" L. 1758, with an account of "S. galapagoensis" Bollman 1889 (Chilopoda Scolopendromorpha Scolopendridae) |journal=Tropical Zoology |year=2000 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=159–170| id=ISSN: 0394-6975] It inhabits the northern and western regions of South America and the islands of Trinidad and Jamaica. It is carnivorous, feeding on lizards, frogs, birds, mice [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=8CL2hetqpfg Giant centipede eating mouse] ] , and even bats. [cite journal |quotes=no |author=J. Molinari, E. E. Gutiérrez, A. A. de Ascenção, J. M. Nassar, A. Arends & R. J. Márquez |title=Predation by giant centipedes, "Scolopendra gigantea", on three species of bats in a Venezuelan cave |journal=Caribbean Journal of Science |volume=41 |issue=2 |year=2005 |pages=340–346 |url=http://caribjsci.org/aug05/41_340-346.pdf] It is also known to prey on Tarantulas. [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=2f5gBFMMmGc Giant Centipede VS Tarantula] ]

The body consists of 21 to 23 segments which are coppery red or maroon in color, each with a pair of yellow-tinted legs; the legs are adapted for fast walking (even running).

The centipede has modified claws called forcipules which curve around its head and can deliver venom into its prey. The extremely potent venom, containing acetylcholine, histamine, and serotonin, is toxic to humans and causes severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness. However, although bites are painful, they are unlikely to be fatal. [cite journal |author=Bush SP, King BO, Norris RL, Stockwell SA |title=Centipede envenomation |journal=Wilderness & environmental medicine |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=93–9 |year=2001 |pmid=11434497]

"S. gigantea" is a popular pet among arthropod enthusiasts, but must be handled with protective equipment, as even a trace of the venom coming in contact with skin can cause a reaction.

Female "S. gigantea" centipedes exhibit parental care, guarding and tending their nests of eggs. Juveniles are very dark red or black in color, and very thin with large spherical red heads. They molt several times before reaching adult size.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/metazoa5.html "Scolopendra gigantea" getting attacked by ants]
* [http://www.scolopendra.eu Scolopendra.eu] (English, German, Dutch)