Live Centipedes for Sale — Scolopendra & Beginner Species

Big Z's sells live centipedes for experienced keepers who fully understand speed, venom risk, escape prevention, and species-specific enclosure requirements. These are not beginner animals.

Centipedes are advanced display animals, not beginner pets

Live centipedes are fast, defensive, venomous, and expert escape artists. They should not be handled under any circumstances and should not be anyone's first invertebrate. Big Z's centipede listings include Spice ratings and matched care guidance so experienced keepers can prepare the correct enclosure, tools, and receiving plan before the animal ships. If you are new to invertebrates, start with a lower-Spice tarantula or millipede first, build real experience, and come back.

Shop Centipedes Read the Spice Scale

Buying paths

Centipede buying paths

Experienced keeper only

Live centipede listing from Big Z's

Best for: Adult keepers with prior invertebrate experience, appropriate tools, and an escape-proof enclosure ready before the animal ships.
Difficulty: Spice 4-5 for most species. Confirm the individual listing before ordering.
Setup: Escape-proof terrestrial enclosure with a fitted and secured lid, appropriate substrate for the species, a secure hide, a moisture gradient, and a clear transfer-and-catch plan ready before delivery day.
Avoid if: You are shopping for a first invertebrate, want an animal that can be handled, or do not have tools and a containment plan already in place.
Matched kit: Ask Big Z about the correct enclosure match for the specific species before ordering.

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Lower-entry centipede option

Smaller or native Scolopendra species

Best for: Experienced keepers who want a centipede display animal with a slightly smaller body and marginally more manageable speed compared to giant species.
Difficulty: Still Spice 3-4. Smaller does not mean safe. Defensive response and speed remain significant.
Setup: Escape-proof terrestrial enclosure with a secure lid, species-appropriate substrate and moisture, a hide, and tong-only feeding from day one.
Avoid if: You have never kept an advanced invertebrate. The lower relative size does not change the handling rules.
Matched kit: Ask Big Z about species-specific enclosure needs before ordering.

Shop Centipedes Ask Big Z

Safety basics

What experienced keepers must know before ordering

Never handle centipedes, no exceptions

Centipedes can move at close to 30 centimeters per second, bite without warning, and squeeze through gaps during transfers. Use tongs or a catch cup for every single interaction. No centipede at any Spice level is a handling pet. This rule does not change based on keeper experience, species, or enclosure size.

Pre-plan weather and receiving before ordering

Centipedes need safe transit temperatures and prompt receiving on the first delivery attempt. Big Z's may hold a centipede order when weather makes the route unsafe. Have an escape-proof enclosure fully set up before the ship date and be available at the delivery address when the package arrives. Review the LAG before checkout.

Read the LAG

Escape prevention is not optional

Centipedes are expert escape artists. They can push through ventilation gaps wider than their head, climb smooth vertical surfaces, and slide under lids that feel fully closed. Inspect every seal, gap, and ventilation panel before introducing the animal. A centipede loose in a home is a safety issue, not a minor inconvenience. Check the enclosure before every feeding and after every time the lid has been opened.

Know your nearest emergency care before the animal arrives

Most centipede bites cause intense localized pain, swelling, and possible systemic symptoms. Some individuals react more severely. Know the location of your nearest urgent care or emergency room before a large centipede arrives at your door. This is preparation, not paranoia. It is a standard part of responsible advanced keeper practice.

FAQ

Live centipede FAQ

Are centipedes good beginner pets?

No. Big Z's treats centipedes as advanced display animals because they are fast, consistently defensive, venomous, and capable of escaping enclosures that would contain most other invertebrates. If you are new to keeping, start with a lower-Spice tarantula or millipede. Build real husbandry experience first, then revisit centipedes when you have multiple successful molts and transfers behind you.

Does Big Z's ship live centipedes?

Yes. Big Z's ships eligible live centipedes within the United States when weather, route conditions, and legal restrictions allow safe delivery. Customers must follow the Live Arrival Guarantee receiving rules. Have the enclosure ready, be available for the first delivery attempt, and open and document the package immediately on arrival.

What enclosure does a centipede need?

A centipede needs an escape-proof terrestrial enclosure with a fully secured lid, appropriate substrate and depth for the species, a secure hide, a moisture gradient with a drier side and a more humid side, and no gaps in ventilation panels. Every joint and seam should be checked before introducing the animal. Ask Big Z about the enclosure spec for the specific species before ordering.

What centipede species does Big Z's sell?

Big Z's inventory changes with availability. Common centipede listings include Scolopendra species of various origins and sizes, including giant species and smaller native options. Check the current listings or contact Big Z directly to find out what is in stock and available to ship to your location.

What do centipedes eat and how often?

Most centipedes eat live appropriately sized prey including crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms. Larger species may take pinkie mice on occasion. Feed every 7-14 days depending on species size and temperature. Always use long tongs for feeding, never hands. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. Centipedes do not need to eat as frequently as many keepers expect and overfeeding can cause its own problems.

Do centipedes need a heat source?

Most Scolopendra species are most active at 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. A thermostat-controlled under-tank heat mat on one side of the enclosure provides a stable warm zone without the drying effects of overhead heat. Avoid temperature extremes in either direction. Check the species-specific care guide for preferred temperature and humidity ranges, as needs vary significantly between tropical and desert-origin species.

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