Centipede...

[Arachnaeoccult]

Incredible Pets has a centipede on the arachnid displays for $35, I figured, if this centipede (rather large and weighty looking) cost $35 it must be a special centipede. I never thought I'd own a centipede before, but the fact alone that he's so pricey makes me want to up and buy him. How are pet centipedes?

[PatrickT]

they are the only creature on this planet i fear...

[Arachnaeoccult]

I saw a video of a guy getting bit and it doesn't want to let go, having second thoughts.

I might do it not to handle him but to put em in a nice prehistoric themed enclosure for sure.


All those legs are creepy no matter how docile they are!

[Doug 351]

Jeeze...this is CRAZY on a snake forum! !!! You would think that with all the idiocy around snakes....that folks wouldn't jump to conclusions about other critters....

Centipeeds are harmless vegetarian animals....millipeds are mildly poisonous critters that hunt insects....

[toddnbecka]

I've seen videos of giant centipedes killing frogs, toads, and even adult mice. Not something I'd want to get bitten by, hard to tell what kind of damage the venom would do, would certainly be very painful at the least. Not my thing, but plenty of people like to keep scorpions or tarantulas, not a big difference in a centipede IMO.

[dannybgoode]

Jeeze...this is CRAZY on a snake forum! !!! You would think that with all the idiocy around snakes....that folks wouldn't jump to conclusions about other critters....

Centipeeds are harmless vegetarian animals....millipeds are mildly poisonous critters that hunt insects....

There are some pretty nasty centipedes and they are not all vegetarians by any means.

They are venomous also but generally not so as to be dangerous to humans. The bigger ones can give you a very nasty nip though...

[Sublimeballs]

Gotta correct that. All centipedes are predators that feed on anything they can overpower. They're venomous. Milipedes are the ones that are NOT predatory and are harmless. Alot(probably all of them) can release noxious gas to deter predators.

As for in captivity, I've done some research(as I want one, even though they creep me out to my very core). Appropriate sized ESCAPE PROOF tub/cage, moist bedding like Eco earth, cork bark hides. They'll eat anything so no real issues there. And heat doesn't seem to be a huge issue.

Hope this helps
P.S. I don't think anyone goes into getting a giant centipede as a pet they handle. I would very much avoid handeling it.

[Mad Max]

Jeeze...this is CRAZY on a snake forum! !!! You would think that with all the idiocy around snakes....that folks wouldn't jump to conclusions about other critters....

Centipeeds are harmless vegetarian animals....millipeds are mildly poisonous critters that hunt insects....

Millipedes are harmless. Centipedes are venomous.

[eminart]

Jeeze...this is CRAZY on a snake forum! !!! You would think that with all the idiocy around snakes....that folks wouldn't jump to conclusions about other critters....

Centipeeds are harmless vegetarian animals....millipeds are mildly poisonous critters that hunt insects....


While agree there's no reason for irrational fear, you're wrong about centipedes. Some of them have a pretty nasty venom. You're right that millipedes are POISONOUS, but they're the vegetarians. Just don't eat one and you'll be ok.

[Aaron_S]

Centipedes look incredibly cool.

Fairly dangerous insect to keep though. Be extremely careful.

[macandchz]

they give me the willies! it all started with an old black and white movie in the 50's.......

[PatrickT]

Jeeze...this is CRAZY on a snake forum! !!! You would think that with all the idiocy around snakes....that folks wouldn't jump to conclusions about other critters....

Centipeeds are harmless vegetarian animals....millipeds are mildly poisonous critters that hunt insects....

I think you are kidding or dont know what animal we talk about? Centipedes are not vegetarian. They are strictly carnivorous. Depending on their size they eat insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. They are very venomous. They are very agile, agressive and powerful animals.

http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/thumbs/picture/2165492/84579971.jpg

[Herpo]

Well you shouldn't handle one really! So I don't see that putting anyone else off.

Anyway, I got bit once. It was a dry bite, so no venom, but the "claws" alone hurt heaps. And unlike other inverts, these guys a EXTREMELY aggressive. No slip ups.

Feed them crickets, woodies, any insect really andnthe occasional pinky.

[Doug 351]

Awwww crap...I always get those two confused!!! Sorry...yeah...those flattened out little guys can hurt ya...the roundish ones don't.

Btw: I claim pneumonia mixed with scotch as my defense!

[dannybgoode]

Awwww crap...I always get those two confused!!! Sorry...yeah...those flattened out little guys can hurt ya...the roundish ones don't.

Btw: I claim pneumonia mixed with scotch as my defense!

It very much depends on the Scotch and whether you've mixed it with anything. A nice neat Laphroaig or Talisker and yes you have a get out...

[toddnbecka]

I mix my scotch with Drambuie and a bit of honey, smooth and sweet.

[dannybgoode]

I mix my scotch with Drambuie and a bit of honey, smooth and sweet.

Hmmmm. The only thing that ever goes in my scotch is a drop of spring water if the whiskey needs it. Sometimes just a hint of water brings out the peppery flavours.

If the whiskey doesn't need it it doesn't get it.

I am however a whiskey snob and could happily $90-150 on a bottle.

[Doug 351]

Hmmmm. The only thing that ever goes in my scotch is a drop of spring water if the whiskey needs it. Sometimes just a hint of water brings out the peppery flavours.

If the whiskey doesn't need it it doesn't get it.

I am however a whiskey snob and could happily $90-150 on a bottle.

You got it....except for a couple of things....I've got throat Cancer...(in remission....knock on wood) but all that radiation has removed my ability to enjoy hot peppers or straight alcohol....so I have to chase down any 80 proofish alcohol down with water...but it doesn't mean I can't still detect and savour quality.....(even if I can't afford it!!!!)

And yeah....I'm not even sure if the best quality lowland single malts are available in America....and yeah...a good scotch is gonna cost $150.... but I prefer to describe it as "smoky"....not peppery.

[dannybgoode]

Your more than excused then!

Depends on the malt as to whether it is smokey (Talisker Storm for example - sensational whiskey and over here goes for the equivalent of around $50) or peppery (Laphroaig Quarter Cask or 15yo - nearer the $90+ range).

Laphroaig is particularly peppery and peaty. The Talisker very smokey and salty. Then everything in-between.

Sure the UK has its faults but a lack of all priced, good quality whiskey isn't one of them :)

[mysticmoon]

Yikes.... I could never own one, they freak me out too much. Tarantulas, lizards, snakes, cool. But no centipedes for me lol.

[LouB747]

This is by far the coolest centipede I've found.

http://youtu.be/cC_TthRVal4

[Pareeeee]

I can't offer much advice about keeping them. I've only handled wild centipedes.

I've been stung by one of those tiny Garden Centipedes before. Felt like a bee sting, quite painful. Can't imagine being stung by one of those big guys! (I say "stung" because echnically centipedes don't bite, they have modified "legs" next to their head which they use to envenomate their prey.) Being stung was MY fault, I trapped thr centipede in my hand and it attacked in self defense.

House Centipedes are my favourite ones to handle around here. Awesome little creatures.

I've often admired the giant centipedes and considered them as a pet. I don't want to get into raising feeder insects, though...

[toddnbecka]

You actually handle house centipedes? I see them occasionally, usually in the basement, never really bother with them though. Buggers are very fast-moving, more trouble to catch than it would be worth. I once saw a mid-size house centipede get tangled in a spider web along the wall/floor. When the spider came down to get its meal the centipede bit the spider, apparently killing it almost instantly. Their venom isn't something I'd care to experience personally, lol.

[Pareeeee]

You actually handle house centipedes? I see them occasionally, usually in the basement, never really bother with them though. Buggers are very fast-moving, more trouble to catch than it would be worth. I once saw a mid-size house centipede get tangled in a spider web along the wall/floor. When the spider came down to get its meal the centipede bit the spider, apparently killing it almost instantly. Their venom isn't something I'd care to experience personally, lol.

Yes!
Proof:
https://youtu.be/Y_vgZ2i9QtY

I've never had a Centipede act aggressively except for the time I grasped one between thumb and forefinger. It defended itself effectively.
The (native varieties, anyway) generally only bite when threatened. Same with spiders.

[Doug 351]

It very much depends on the Scotch and whether you've mixed it with anything. A nice neat Laphroaig or Talisker and yes you have a get out...

Well......the quality isn't a concern when the QUANTITY causes you to bust your head while trying to simply weed your garden!