In stock Florida Keys Giant Centipede for sale All centipedes for sale
Scolopendra alternans
Florida Keys Giant Centipede: Advanced Care Guide
Keeper Snapshot: A big Caribbean giant centipede that reaches the Florida Keys. Deep, moist soil with leaf litter, some bark to climb, a locked lid and tongs every time.
Group: CentipedesDifficulty: Spice 4: AdvancedSetup: Tropical burrower and climber, deep soilHandling: No handling, tool transfers only
Use This Guide Safely
- Confirm the exact animal. Match this guide to the species, locality, size, and life stage on your label. If the ID is uncertain, use the more conservative part of the range and ask before changing the setup.
- Change one thing at a time. Treat temperature and humidity as target zones, then watch posture, burrowing, drinking, feeding, and molt behavior before making another adjustment.
- Respect the handling boundary. If the guide says no handling, fast, defensive, or medically significant, plan transfers with catch cups, locked lids, and no bare hands. For serious bites, stings, or symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
Quick Snapshot
| Temperature | 75-85°F |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 65-80%: moist soil, dry refuge, airflow |
| Setup Type | Tropical burrower and climber, deep soil |
| Substrate | Deep moist soil/coco mix with leaf litter |
| Feeding | Prey weekly or every other week |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 4: Advanced |
| Handling | No handling, tool transfers only |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
Enclosure Format / Size Class
- Juveniles: Burrow Buddy with deep moist soil and a locked lid.
- Adults: larger custom build with deep soil, leaf litter and a climbing slab.
Warnings First
- Bites are reported as intensely painful with swelling that can last a long time. Any bite with spreading symptoms needs medical care.
- Never touch it. Long tongs and a catch cup for every service.
- Escape artist. Locking lid, no gaps, vents finer than its head.
Simple Care
- House it alone.
- Deep, moist soil with leaf litter on top.
- A bark slab or cork to climb and hide behind.
- Shallow pebble-filled dish.
- Locking lid, cross ventilation.
Advanced Keeper Notes
Enclosure & Microclimate
- In the wild it hides under moist leaf litter and also climbs into trees and palms. Give it both.
- Water the soil away from its tunnel and keep one drier refuge.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Roaches or crickets sized to its head, weekly or every other week.
- Use long tongs or drop prey in. Pull leftovers next day.
Possible Origin / Range
- Likely native range: The Caribbean and northern South America, with records from the Florida Keys.
- Habitat translation: Moist Caribbean leaf litter and palm crowns become deep, moist soil topped with leaf litter, a bark slab to climb, a drier refuge and cross ventilation.
Advanced Keeper Details
- Females guard eggs and hatchlings. Leave a brooding female completely alone.