Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes)

Short answers

Chinese red-headed centipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 40×30×30 cm for an adult animal (floor area at least three times body length), horizontal, with a lockable lid and metal ventilation.

Chinese red-headed centipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night ~22 °C (room temperature is sufficient).

Chinese red-headed centipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Chinese red-headed centipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–10 years, individual animals longer; not sexually mature until 3–4 years.

Chinese red-headed centipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

~22 °C (room temperature is sufficient)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

75–85 % (humidity gradient)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×30×30 cm for an adult animal (floor area at least three times body length), horizontal, with a lockable lid and metal ventilation

Substrate

10–15 cm or more of damp diggable coco humus or soil, plus leaf litter and cork bark as a hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches), occasionally larger prey

Feeding interval

Adults every 7–14 days, juveniles every 3–5 days; remove leftovers after 24 hours.

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 20 cm (some of the dehaani complex are larger)

Life expectancy

approx. 5–10 years, individual animals longer; not sexually mature until 3–4 years

Origin

South and South-East Asia (tropical)

Protection status

No protected status

Brumation

None (a tropical species)

Cohabitation

Keep them strictly singly. Solitary, territorial and strongly 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

Very venomous – a painful, medically significant bite; no handling. An extreme escape artist: a tightly closing, ventilated lid is essential. Provide a water dish; its water balance and humidity are critical.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Amazonian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) – Intermediate to 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 Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×30×30 cm for an adult animal (floor area at least three times body length), horizontal, with a lockable lid and metal ventilation), substrate (10–15 cm or more of damp diggable coco humus or soil, plus leaf litter and cork bark as a hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.