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Scolopendra gigantea
World's largest centipede. From South America, reaching 30cm+. Reddish-brown with many impressive legs. Strong venom requires significant experience and caution. For advanced keepers only.
The Peruvian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) is one of the worlds largest centipedes, found in South America, sometimes exceeding 30 cm in length. Its reddish-brown body lined with many legs is striking, but its venom is potent and bites are intensely painful, so handling requires considerable experience and caution. Husbandry uses a tightly sealed enclosure to prevent escape, with substrate for burrowing, a shelter, and water. Live prey such as crickets forms the main diet. Highly active and aggressive, it should generally not be handled. It is regarded as an invertebrate for advanced keepers.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Origin
South America
Lifespan
5-10 years
Size
20-35cm
Temperature
24〜28℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Crickets, roaches, pinky mice
Secure locking enclosure essential. Escape must be prevented
Edited & verified by: br-choku editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Accepted name: Scolopendra gigantea Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms: Scolopendra annulipes Lucas, 1884, Scolopendra epileptica Wood, 1861, Scolopendra gigas Leach, 1815, Scolopendra insignis Gervais, 1844, Scolopendra prasinipes Wood, 1861
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Scolopendra gigantea(オオムカデ目)。CITES 非掲載。IUCN 未評価。
Sources: CITES 附属書(checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Coconut fiber + leaf litter. 10cm+ depth. Add hide
Weekly. Feed with tongs. Never touch directly
Strong venom. Bite causes severe pain + swelling. Know your nearest hospital
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature for Peruvian Giant Centipede is 24〜28℃. Recommended humidity is 60〜80%. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Peruvian Giant Centipede is 5-10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Peruvian Giant Centipede typically reaches 20-35cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Peruvian Giant Centipede feeds on: Crickets, roaches, pinky mice. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Peruvian Giant Centipede varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: June 23, 2026