"Scott" visits the mantid family

[Digger]

Last night, while cleaning up at the kitchen sink, I went to grab a sponge and spotted a Scutigera coleoptrata taking a drink from it.

Like many, I very much disliked these "house centipedes" years ago and exterminated them as found. With my first go at mantid husbandry in 2004, I studied a lot regarding arthropods. Learning that spiders were a favorite snack for S. coleoptrata, I tolerated their presence in the house and left them alone.

The intensity of my mantid care over the last two years has radically reduced my prejudice or trepidation toward most arthropods (I'm still working on seeing arachnids other than nasty monsters in the childhood closet).

On close inspection of this centipede, I was intrigued by its beauty and complexity. He even took a scurry up my arm. So, I decided to put him in a controlled environment and see if he'd take any prey. I put a BB in the mesh cage with him, but no interest (probably too freaked out). This morning he had the BB in his jaws, happily munching (or sucking - I'm not sure) away. The length of his antennae point to his being male.

I put Scott's cage next to Orion and Twitch (T. sinensis). Both mantids came to that side of their condos to greet Scott (why were both mantids putting on little bibs??).

Did a search for "Scutigera coleoptrata" on this forum, but only found one entry from a while ago. Has anyone kept one of these centipedes as a pet? Any care suggestions other tha keep the environment humid and relatively dark?

Incidentally, Scott's about 2.75 cm body length (not including legs).

 

[hibiscusmile]

lots of people keep them, I like them dead myself! :tt2:

 

[Malakyoma]

I keep a couple small spiders but that is nightmare fuel for me.

 

[Digger]

lots of people keep them, I like them dead myself! :tt2:

Rebecca ! How could you !? These cute little racers murder spiders. What more could one ask??

 

[BugLover]

I've never tried to keep them. They don't bother me, but I still put them outside when I find them. I'll have to try keeping one or two

 

[sally]

OK, That is what my nightmares are made of

 

[ScienceGirl]

Watch out, most centipedes have poisonous or at least sharp mouthparts. They are hunters. Keep a close eye on your fingers!

 

[Digger]

Watch out, most centipedes have poisonous or at least sharp mouthparts. They are hunters. Keep a close eye on your fingers!

At this instar, it would be difficult to even pierce human skin. But I am aware of their biting capability. Certainly would rather handle Scott, (derived from "Scut" igera) than one of those friggin tarantulas.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

I want to see a pic of Scott crawling on your face, bonus points if your mouth is open! :lol: Then we'll really see who you give nightmares too inch: Ha-ha...

 

[Digger]

Angel - you've been playing too many online games !

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Shhh don't tell anyone, now run out there and draw their fire and I'll cover you.

 

[BugLover]

how do you care for Scott? I just caught one of these and all I've done is given it some fruit flies.

 

[brancsikia339]

Scutigera can't hurt you, but theyre dangerous to mantids

 

[Digger]

BL,

House centipedes tend to like ground-crawling (or wall-crawling) prey. In captivity, they seem to prefer hunting at night (or a dark room). They dislike light and will scurry for a dark shelter. For Scott, I made him a tent from a folded business card. He stayed tucked away in this all day. I fed him BBs, a spider and a very small cricket, during his stay. I also misted lightly twice in a week (not directly on him).

I have since released him outside. As pets go, he was pretty boring since he stayed hidden in his tent all the time.

 

[BugLover]

Ok thanks!