Amazonian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)

Short answers

Amazonian giant centipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 80 × 50 × 50 cm for an adult animal, absolutely escape-proof (a lockable lid or top opening, no sliding doors).

Amazonian giant centipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Amazonian giant centipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No.

Amazonian giant centipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: over 10 years.

Amazonian giant centipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Intermediate to expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

No

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 80 × 50 × 50 cm for an adult animal, absolutely escape-proof (a lockable lid or top opening, no sliding doors)

Substrate

A mix of unfertilised terrarium soil/peat, sand and forest soil, 15–20 cm deep and lightly compacted so that stable burrows hold their shape; moss and cork bark as hides, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (roaches, crickets, locusts), occasionally small vertebrates

Feeding interval

approx. 1× every 1–2 weeks

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm, individual animals over 35 cm (keeper reports up to 40 cm)

Life expectancy

over 10 years

Origin

Northern South America / the Caribbean (Venezuela, Trinidad among others)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them strictly singly (cannibalistic). The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

VENOMOUS and extremely defensive – a painful bite. No handling with bare hands (use forceps or a driving method, and gloves). Make the terrarium extremely escape-proof; for experienced keepers only.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) – Expert
• Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra mutilans) – Expert
• Tanzanian blue ringleg centipede (Scolopendra morsitans) – Intermediate
• Indian tiger centipede (Scolopendra hardwickei) – Expert
• Caribbean giant centipede (Scolopendra alternans) – Expert
• Mediterranean banded centipede (Scolopendra cingulata) – Intermediate
• Giant desert centipede (Scolopendra heros) – Expert
• Tiger centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Amazonian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 80 × 50 × 50 cm for an adult animal, absolutely escape-proof (a lockable lid or top opening, no sliding doors)), substrate (A mix of unfertilised terrarium soil/peat, sand and forest soil, 15–20 cm deep and lightly compacted so that stable burrows hold their shape; moss and cork bark as hides, a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.