Scolopendra Dehaani-Chinese Giant Centipede

Scolopendra dehaani- Chinese Giant Centipede

Housing

• Enclosure: A secure, escape-proof enclosure is essential as Scolopendra dehaani are strong, fast, and adept at squeezing through gaps. A plastic or glass terrarium with a tight-fitting lid and ventilation holes is suitable. Adults need an enclosure of at least 12” x 8” (30 x 20 cm) with some height to allow for substrate depth.

• Substrate: Provide 4–6 inches of moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber, peat moss, or a soil/sphagnum mix. This species burrows and will use the depth to hide and feel secure.

• Humidity: Maintain a humidity level of around 75–85%. Mist one side of the enclosure lightly every few days and keep part of the substrate slightly damp while leaving some areas drier. Good ventilation helps prevent mold.

• Temperature: A range of 24–28°C (75–82°F) works best, but they tolerate 22–30°C (72–86°F). In most homes, supplemental heating isn’t required unless the room is particularly cool.

Feeding

• Diet: Offer prey items such as crickets, roaches, locusts, or the occasional mealworm or superworm. Juveniles should be fed 2–3 times per week; adults once or twice a week. Prey should be appropriately sized—no larger than half the centipede’s body length.

• Water: Provide a small, shallow water dish for adults and larger juveniles. Mist lightly to create droplets, but avoid oversaturating the substrate.

General Care

• Molting: The centipede will stop eating and hide for days or weeks before molting. Increase humidity slightly and avoid disturbing the enclosure. Do not offer food until the new exoskeleton hardens, which may take a week or more.

• Handling: Handling is strongly discouraged. Scolopendra dehaani are extremely fast, defensive, and deliver a very painful bite. Use long tools or a catch cup for any enclosure maintenance or relocation.

Social Needs

• Scolopendra dehaani are highly aggressive toward their own kind and must be kept alone. Cohabitation will almost always result in cannibalism.