So yesterday in my backyard, i found this red centipede. Its about an inch and a half, an i was wondering if anyone could give me pointers on its care and feeding. Right now its in a container that is part dirt, part moss. The moss is on bark, and it really loves it under there. its about 80 degrees in its tank.
Centipede care?
- Thread starter hierodula
- Start date
Help Support Mantidforum:
patrickfraser
Well-known member
Sounds like a comfy set up. He'll probably make himself "right at home". Do they just eat decaying debris or do they need a live food source? I really know nothing about them, other than the big ones are SCARY. Aren't most centipedes also poisonous? 
AxolotlsAreCoolToo
Well-known member
i just half kill blue bottle flys and my house centipede gets them they kinda miss molt easlilyfor some reason though.
Webeviction
Well-known member
Ya it should scavenge dead cricket parts likely at night when your not watching
patrickfraser
Well-known member
That's easy enough. Let's see that centipede.
Webeviction
Well-known member
Can you post a picture?
patrickfraser
Well-known member
You'll need to add him to your collection list. Good luck with it. I wonder how big it will get.
Webeviction
Well-known member
Looks like Lithobius sp. stone centipede it appears full grown they don't get real big it's tough to get them to attack there prey unless its very small like two week crix or smaller or flies maybe but they will definetly scavenge so just leave some bug parts out for it
I have reared them accidentally for years and it's certainly hard to get them to eat something large unless you don't want them to (found one murdering a valuable larva of something else last week). Stone centipedes are sometimes easier to feed fruit than prey.
I find these all the time. They like to burrow, so you'll probably need to add a bit more substrate to his setup. I just kept mine in a 16 oz. deli cup with coir as substrate and some Spaghnum moss for him to hide under. The most important thing is to always keep the setup moist and humid. I once killed one of my centipedes when I forgot to mist his enclosure. In regard to food, I just put a pre-killed cricket or roach in his enclosure and waited until he ate it. I know it sounds gross, but it seems like they find the prey easier if you squish it so the guts kinda come out. Anyway, good luck!! Always wear gloves when you handle them, astheir bite is PAINFUL....It happened to me twice.
In regard to food, I just put a pre-killed cricket or roach in his enclosure and waited until he ate it. I know it sounds gross, but it seems like they find the prey easier if you squish it so the guts kinda come out. Anyway, good luck!! Always wear gloves when you handle them, astheir bite is PAINFUL....It happened to me twice. 
