giant centipede is included in the list of the most dangerous animals.In addition, it has a repulsive appearance and has one unpleasant feature - absolutely not afraid of people.It is a cold-blooded predator that hunts not only on small invertebrates and beetles, but also on lizards, birds, mice and frogs.
Types skolopendr
In the world there are about 600 species of these predators.They belong to the genus of centipedes centipede Skolopendrovye squad.Prominent representatives of these animals - Scolopendra heros, ringed and centipede Lucas.The first is 20 centimeters in length and is found in arid regions of Mexico and the United States.In this species, there is one unpleasant feature - in a disturbed state of an animal causes inflammation of the skin of the person in the place of its contact with the limbs of the centipede.At rest Scolopendra heros no danger.
Ringed centipede is found in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, in southern Europe, North Africa and the south of Russia.It is widespread in the Crimea.The average body length - 14 cm, but some individuals reach 170 millimeters.This species has a beautiful golden yellow color.Like other members of the family Scolopendridae, Scolopendra cingulata has poisonous glands.
The largest centipedes - Scolopendra gigantea
giant centipede, reaching an average of 25-26 centimeters, is the largest member of the family Scolopendridae.There are cases of catch animals length of 30 centimeters.Territory habitat of the predator - the rainforests of Central and South America, Trinidad and Jamaica, Venezuela.
Lifestyle
Scolopendra giant, like all other members of the genus of centipedes, thermophilic and lives only in warm or tropical climates.This nocturnal predator who feels uncomfortable day in open spaces.All skolopendry run very fast, but the giant is particularly rapid.
Living skolopendry mostly underground or in shelters because their body does not have a strong defense and quickly loses moisture.
she prefers to hunt on small underground invertebrate larvae, earthworms and beetles.Giant centipede can catch and kill small lizards, frogs, birds, mice, and even a small snake.Catches predator and bats.To this end, she climbs to the ceiling, where the victim is asleep, holding several claws for surface and front legs attacks, wrapping her bat and introducing her poison.
centipede - bright individualists and prefer to live alone.However, the meeting of two males often occurs peacefully.This species of centipedes found cannibalism.This occurs most often in captivity when the adult is capable of hungry youngsters to eat.In nature, this happens rarely.
Anatomy
skolopendry Body consists of two parts: a head and a long body.It is divided into segments.Their number varies from 21 to 23. All of them are equipped with a pair of legs of a light yellow color, which end pointed spike.Their average length is 2.5 centimeters.Each of them has a venom gland.Therefore, in contact with the legs Scolopendra human skin inflammation occurs.
head is a plate with eyes, two antennae and a pair maxillipeds.During the evolution of the body feet first segment skolopendry turned into poisonous claws.
different from the rest and the last pair of legs - they are larger in size and sent back.Hind feet help the animal while traveling in ground burrows and during the hunt, acting as a kind of anchor.
Scolopendra giant has a beautiful copper-brown or ginger.The color can range from yellow to red, blue, green and purple.Coating varies with the age of the animal, and even the same species, it can vary greatly.
Body predator consists of plates which are interconnected by a flexible membrane and protected by the exoskeleton.Giant centipede - soft-bodied animal.Chitin exoskeleton that does not grow, this type of centipede, like many invertebrates, we have from time to time to reset.This process is called molting.
Care and Maintenance
Scolopendra giant bite is extremely painful for a man is often found in captivity lovers centipedes.Behind it is interesting to watch, but it must contain a caution - a fast and aggressive animal.Inexperienced amateurs is better to abandon this dangerous "home" a pet because it is probable the possibility of being bitten.Since skolopendry flat and flexible, it can squeeze through a small gap and to escape from the cage.They live in captivity for a long time - up to 7 years.
necessary to maintain a relatively high moisture content of the soil and the air - the animals are very sensitive to this parameter.
Feed skolopendry captive cockroaches, larvae of mealworms and crickets.They eat slowly and infrequently.Feed it is recommended to give 1-2 times a week.
Giant centipede: the centipede face meeting with
danger of these predators is greatly exaggerated.All skolopendry have poison glands that produce the poison, but many of them are harmless to humans, because simply can not bite through the skin.It kriptopsy or blind skolopendry and drupes.Flycatcher living in homes can bite only in self-defense.Most often it maxilliped can not bite through the skin.But if it happened, the bite will be equal in strength bee.
How does Scolopendra bite?It depends on the type of centipede.When prokusyvanii animal skin distinguishes poison that causes a burning sensation, pain and swelling.The bite may also be accompanied by nausea and dizziness.
Yad Scolopendra gigantea is particularly toxic.It causes severe swelling (arm may swell up to the shoulder) and high temperature.These symptoms persist for several days.
only documented case of death from the bite skolopendry - death of a child from the poison Scolopendra subspinipes.This species has several names: Chinese, Vietnamese, or orange centipede.
Some of these predators in the disturbed state secrete a protective liquid, which in contact with skin causes burns.This feature has, for example, Scolopendra heros.
After centipede bite wound should be cleaned, to make the cold and seek medical advice.Typically prescribed drugs of analgesics and to prevent tetanus.
greatest danger female millipedes (they are poisonous) small children, and people with weakened immune systems and people with allergies.
How to protect yourself from being bitten skolopendry Outdoors
can not take centipede with his bare hands.The habitats centipedes not recommended to spend the night outside the tent.Putting on shoes and clothes, it should be inspected beforehand.When turning the stones to be careful.Keep in mind that no millipede insect and fumigators do not act on it.
giant centipede in the facts: the most interesting things about predatory centipede
- kill the predator difficult.Firstly, all kinds of centipedes rapidly running.Secondly, they are so flat that simply pressed into the ground and crush them virtually impossible.
- The ancient Greeks called all kinds of centipedes centipede.
- In South Africa, home to Rizida - centipede blue.
- in Thailand and Africa, these animals eat.
