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Giant Centipede
Conservation status: Least Concern
As its common name suggests, Ethmostigmus rubripes is a very large centipede. Growing to a length of about 16cm, it is the largest centipede found in Australia and Asia.
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Scientific Classification
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Scolopendromorpha
Scolopendridae
Ethmostigmus
rubripes
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The Giant Centipede has a long, flat body with 25 or 27 body segments and 21 or 23 pairs of legs. Its body segments are banded with black and range in colour from a dark blue-green-brown to orange-yellow. Its legs and antenna are yellow.
It is a nocturnal species. During the day, Giant Centipedes shelter in damp places such as under rocks and logs or they may make a burrow under leaf litter and in the soil. At night, they come out to hunt and feed. Giant Centipedes eat insects, snails and worms. The first pair of legs have become strong claws which curve around past its head and are used to deliver venom into its prey. The venom is poisonous to both insects and mammals. They will bite if handled and have been known to cause severe pain in humans.
Breeding time is Summer and Autumn. Even though they are usually solitary creatures, like all Scolopendromorpha centipedes, female Giant Centipedes have a strong maturnal instinct. After they lay their eggs, they will guard the eggs and subsequent hatchlings till after their second moult.
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