Pacific giant centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes)

Pacific giant centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) is an animal species, very large, up to 20 cm long, has many color variations and is usually red or reddish brown with yellow or orange-yellow legs, active and aggressive predators that prey on any animal that can be defeated.

S. subspinipes has 22 segments with each segment having a border with a black feature and a pair of legs that end in sharp nails. A pair of legs growing on the head covered by a flat shield are forcipules that have claws and are connected to poison glands to kill prey and defenses.

Pacific giant centipede has simple eyes with poor eyesight and is very dependent on touch and chemoreceptors where a pair of long antennas are on the right and left side of the head. The sensor also utilizes a pair of long tails which have four joints that grow in the last segment of the body.

They breathe through S-shaped holes located along the sides of their bodies. This centipede is very aggressive and ready to attack if disturbed and sensitive to vibrations around. Prey spiders, scorpions, vinegaroons, small reptiles, mice and almost every living animal that can be defeated.

S. subspinipes attacks with the last prehensorial foot, then the head is bent quickly backward to implant venomous jaws. Centipedes will use the entire body to encircle prey and attach their legs firmly. Then quickly use forcipules for injection of poison.

Females produce 50-80 eggs which are protected until they hatch and will wrap the baby to keep them safe. Young centipede changes its skin once every year and takes 3-4 years to reach full adult size. They lived for 10 years or more.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Subfamily: Scolopendrinae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species: Scolopendra subspinipes

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