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Spice 5 · Extreme
How the Spice System works
Medically significant ⚠
A sting or bite from this animal can need medical care. Adults only, a locked escape-proof enclosure and no handling.
WC: Wild caught
Collected from the wild and settled in at Big Z's before it ships. Many species, adults especially, are rarely bred in captivity.
Big Z's notes
About this Fella
Celebes Rainbow Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Blue-green fire, orange legs, and venom you never want to meet
Scolopendra subspinipes, the Celebes Rainbow Centipede, is the showpiece of the giant centipedes. This is the true species in its Celebes rainbow form from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the old Celebes. A blue-green iridescent sheen rides over a dark body, bright orange-yellow legs, and a red-brown head, making it one of the most colorful large centipedes in the hobby at a full 6 to 8 inches. Heads up: the heavier mainland yellow-leg animal often sold under this same name is S. dehaani, and we list that one separately as the Vietnamese Yellow Leg.
This is a look, do not touch, tools-only animal with medically significant venom, so the handling rule is never, and it is reserved for experienced keepers only. It is fast, strong, and a determined escape artist, which means a deep bed of packed, moisture-retentive substrate and a locking lid are both mandatory. Give it a humid burrow zone with a slightly drier surface, a snug hide, and a shallow water dish. Stunning to display, serious to keep: the care guide covers the containment and the boundaries.
Full care is in the care guide. It covers enclosure size, temperature, humidity, feeding, molting signs and handling limits for this species. Read the Advanced guide, or the shorter Simple guide →
- Lane
- Spice 5 · Extreme
- Source
- WC: wild caught.
- Handling
- None. Forceps and a catch cup for all maintenance.
- Medical
- Medically significant venom.
- Keeping
- Display animal. Kept in its enclosure, not handled.
- Before it ships
- Big Z confirms every Spice 5 order with the keeper before ship day.
Celebes Rainbow Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes)
Centipede
Keeper feedbackYour experience can help another keeper.
$149.996-8" (Adult) WC selected
More Spice 5 animals
Spice 5 · Extreme
How the Spice System works
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At a glance
The quick read on this fella
- Adult size
- 6-8 in long
- To 10 in
- Venom
- Medically significant bite
- Treat a suspected bite or sting as a medical emergency
- Type
- Fossorial
- Burrower
- Climate
- 75-85°F · 65-90%
- Ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone
- Feeding
- Roaches/crickets
- No longer than half the body
- Lifespan
- 5-10 yrs
From our Vietnamese Centipede care guide. Read the full guide
Live animals ship Mon to Wed
FedEx Standard Overnight $44.99 or Priority Overnight $49.99, both with the Live Arrival Guarantee; free overnight on orders $499.99 and up. FedEx 2Day is not offered for Spice 4 and 5 fellas. Pickup in the Phoenix area or at an expo is free (arrange with Big Z first). Weather holds are free and we message you first.
Enclosure size note
Outgrows Burrow Buddy
Burrow Buddy fits the listed juvenile size, but the animal may outgrow it at full adult size. Plan for a larger custom terrestrial enclosure. Ask Big Z if you need help choosing the next enclosure.
Live arrival support
Every order is packed for that week’s weather. Not sure if Celebes Rainbow Centipede is your spice level? Message us and we’ll talk it through.
Big Z's here to help
Not sure if Celebes Rainbow Centipede is your spice level? Message us and we’ll talk it through.
Spice 5 support
Message Big Z if you want help with the enclosure and lid, or want your setup checked before you order.
Care guide Shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee
About this Fella Big Z's notes
Celebes Rainbow Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Blue-green fire, orange legs, and venom you never want to meet
Scolopendra subspinipes, the Celebes Rainbow Centipede, is the showpiece of the giant centipedes. This is the true species in its Celebes rainbow form from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the old Celebes. A blue-green iridescent sheen rides over a dark body, bright orange-yellow legs, and a red-brown head, making it one of the most colorful large centipedes in the hobby at a full 6 to 8 inches. Heads up: the heavier mainland yellow-leg animal often sold under this same name is S. dehaani, and we list that one separately as the Vietnamese Yellow Leg.
This is a look, do not touch, tools-only animal with medically significant venom, so the handling rule is never, and it is reserved for experienced keepers only. It is fast, strong, and a determined escape artist, which means a deep bed of packed, moisture-retentive substrate and a locking lid are both mandatory. Give it a humid burrow zone with a slightly drier surface, a snug hide, and a shallow water dish. Stunning to display, serious to keep: the care guide covers the containment and the boundaries.
Full care is in the care guide. It covers enclosure size, temperature, humidity, feeding, molting signs and handling limits for this species. Read the Advanced guide, or the shorter Simple guide →
- Lane
- Spice 5 · Extreme
- Source
- WC: wild caught.
- Handling
- None. Forceps and a catch cup for all maintenance.
- Medical
- Medically significant venom.
- Keeping
- Display animal. Kept in its enclosure, not handled.
- Before it ships
- Big Z confirms every Spice 5 order with the keeper before ship day.
What ships with this order Care + shipping
- A free care guide for this species
- A heat or cold pack when the forecast calls for it
- Tracking and an arrival window before it ships
- Message Big Z about your animal for as long as you keep it
Care guideSpice 5 · Extreme
Matched care guide
View in Care Guides library
Vietnamese Centipede
Scolopendra subspinipes · Spice 5: Extreme. Baby Buddy: fits hatchlings and first instars. Burrow Buddy: covers juvenile to subadult growth. Custom terrestrial, deeper substrate: needed for adults, this is a committed deep burrower.
Scolopendra subspinipes
Vietnamese Centipede
Big Z's Quick Verdict: The classic giant centipede in the hobby: red-brown body, yellow-orange legs. Adults commonly 6-8 in, to 10. Medically significant bite. Fast, smart, no handling.
Group: CentipedesDifficulty: Spice 5: ExtremeSetup: Terrestrial burrower, deep substrateHandling: 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 Care Snapshot
| Temp | 75-85°F day, not under 70°F |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 65-90%, ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone |
| Setup | Terrestrial burrower, deep substrate |
| Substrate | 6 in+ packed coco fiber/soil, damp below |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets, no longer than half the body |
| 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%+
Recommended Big Z's Setup
- Baby Buddy: fits hatchlings and first instars.
- Burrow Buddy: covers juvenile to subadult growth.
- Custom terrestrial, deeper substrate: needed for adults, this is a committed deep burrower.
Critical Notes
- Medically significant bite: intense pain, swelling, and local tissue damage.
- Extremely fast on floor, glass, and briefly vertical surfaces. Tool-only handling.
- Real escape risk. Needs a secure, tight-fitting, locking lid.
- Solitary and cannibalistic. Never cohab, including with its own species.
- Stagnant air at substrate level breeds mold and mites. Vent low on two walls.
Care Basics
- Pack deep substrate, 6 in or more.
- Vent low on two opposite walls, at substrate level. This matters more than any humidity number.
- Keep a dry zone alongside the humid zone.
- Keep a shallow water dish, pebbles for footing.
- Use a heavy, secure lid.
- Tools and a catch cup only, never bare hands.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Feed roaches or crickets no longer than half the body, every 4-7 days for juveniles, 10-14 for adults. Judge by body condition.
- Takes a year or more to mature depending on temperature and feeding. Lifespan commonly 5-10 years.
- Pull uneaten prey within a day. Never disturb a fresh molt until it hardens and darkens.
Current Big Z's catalog: Yes
Scolopendra subspinipes
Vietnamese Centipede: Advanced Care Guide
Keeper Snapshot: The classic giant centipede in the hobby: red-brown body, yellow-orange legs. Adults commonly 6-8 in, to 10. Medically significant bite. Fast, smart, no handling.
Group: CentipedesDifficulty: Spice 5: ExtremeSetup: Terrestrial burrower, deep substrateHandling: 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 day, not under 70°F |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 65-90%, ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone |
| Setup Type | Terrestrial burrower, deep substrate |
| Substrate | 6 in+ packed coco fiber/soil, damp below |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets, no longer than half the body |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 5: Extreme |
| 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
- Hatchlings: Baby Buddy, deep substrate started early.
- Juveniles: Burrow Buddy grow-out, packed substrate.
- Adults (6-8 in): large custom terrestrial, 6 in+ substrate, locking lid.
Warnings First
- Medically significant bite: intense pain, swelling, and local tissue damage.
- Extremely fast on floor, glass, and briefly vertical surfaces. Tool-only handling.
- Real escape risk. Needs a secure, tight-fitting, locking lid.
- Solitary and cannibalistic. Never cohab, including with its own species.
- Stagnant air at substrate level breeds mold and mites. Vent low on two walls.
Simple Care
- Pack deep substrate, 6 in or more.
- Vent low on two opposite walls, at substrate level. This matters more than any humidity number.
- Keep a dry zone alongside the humid zone.
- Keep a shallow water dish, pebbles for footing.
- Use a heavy, secure lid.
- Tools and a catch cup only, never bare hands.
Advanced Keeper Notes
Enclosure & Microclimate
- Pack 6 in+ of moisture-retentive substrate so it can dig a stable burrow. Shallow or loose leaves it stressed.
- Keep one end noticeably drier than the other. Uniform humidity invites mold and mites.
- Vent low on two opposite walls, at the substrate line, in fine mesh sized under the head width.
- Hold 65-90% by feeding moisture from below with damp substrate and a water dish, not by closing the vents.
- Judge wetness by hand: the bottom third holds its shape with no free water, the top inch can look dry.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Feed roaches or crickets no longer than half the body, every 4-7 days for juveniles, 10-14 for adults. Judge by body condition.
- Takes a year or more to mature depending on temperature and feeding. Lifespan commonly 5-10 years.
- Pull uneaten prey within a day. Never disturb a fresh molt until it hardens and darkens.
Possible Origin / Range
- Likely native range: Broadly across South/Southeast Asia into Oceania and the Pacific, one of the most widely distributed Scolopendra species.
- Habitat translation: Tropical forest floor leaf litter and rotting wood over loose, humid soil become deep packed substrate with a dry zone and cross ventilation.
Advanced Keeper Details
- This species-complex once included several close relatives as subspecies before being split into distinct species. Expect other trade names in the same complex.
- Treat any bite as a medical event. Contact Poison Control or a clinician for guidance, and seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
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