Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)
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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.
Rare drop
We don't get these often, and restocks are hard to predict.
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
Lava Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Jet-black armor, gold-banded legs, a head that burns fire-red
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava', the Lava Centipede, is the dramatic dark color form of the giant Asian centipede, and it earns every bit of its name. A near-black body runs up from gold-orange banded legs to a burning red head. At a full-grown 8 to 10 inches, this is one of the most striking large centipedes in the trade, and it moves like the substrate under it is on fire.
Know this before you buy: this is an Extreme, Spice 5 animal with medically significant venom, and the rule is tools only, every time the lid comes off. Never handle it. It is extremely fast, a committed climber, and a proven escape artist, so a deep bed of packed, moisture-retentive substrate under a secure locking lid is not optional. Give it a humid burrow with a drier surface zone, a snug hide, and a shallow water dish, and it becomes a genuine showpiece for the experienced keeper. The care guide walks you through containment and the full handling protocol before it ships.
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.
Lava Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava')
Centipede
Keeper feedbackYour experience can help another keeper.
$179.998-10" (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
- 7-8 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 · 70-85%
- Ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone
- Feeding
- Roaches/crickets weekly
- No longer than half the body
- Housing
- Solo only
From our Lava Centipede (Piceoflava) 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 Lava Centipede is your spice level? Message us and we’ll talk it through.
Big Z's here to help
Not sure if Lava 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
Lava Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Jet-black armor, gold-banded legs, a head that burns fire-red
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava', the Lava Centipede, is the dramatic dark color form of the giant Asian centipede, and it earns every bit of its name. A near-black body runs up from gold-orange banded legs to a burning red head. At a full-grown 8 to 10 inches, this is one of the most striking large centipedes in the trade, and it moves like the substrate under it is on fire.
Know this before you buy: this is an Extreme, Spice 5 animal with medically significant venom, and the rule is tools only, every time the lid comes off. Never handle it. It is extremely fast, a committed climber, and a proven escape artist, so a deep bed of packed, moisture-retentive substrate under a secure locking lid is not optional. Give it a humid burrow with a drier surface zone, a snug hide, and a shallow water dish, and it becomes a genuine showpiece for the experienced keeper. The care guide walks you through containment and the full handling protocol before it ships.
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
Lava Centipede (Piceoflava)
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava' · Spice 5: Extreme. Baby Buddy: fits the current juvenile size. Burrow Buddy: covers the next 6-12 months of growth. Custom terrestrial, 6 in+ packed substrate: needed once mature, this is a committed deep burrower.
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'
Sold under its hobby name. This guide covers the group or trade name this fella is sold as, so the ranges fit the whole group. Start in the middle and watch how your animal settles in.
Lava Centipede (Piceoflava)
Big Z's Quick Verdict: A near-black color form of the giant Asian centipede, gold-orange banded legs, deep red head. Adults commonly reach 7-8 in, to 10. Medically significant bite. Fast, 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, low 70s°F at night |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-85%, ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone |
| Setup | Terrestrial burrower, deep substrate |
| Substrate | 6 in+ packed coco fiber/topsoil, damp below |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets weekly, 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 the current juvenile size.
- Burrow Buddy: covers the next 6-12 months of growth.
- Custom terrestrial, 6 in+ packed substrate: needed once mature, this is a committed deep burrower.
Critical Notes
- Medically significant bite: severe pain, swelling, and rare tissue damage.
- Extremely fast, strong escape artist. Tool-only handling at every opening.
- Solitary. Never house together, they injure or kill each other.
- Slips through gaps that look too narrow. Check every seal and the lid lock.
- Stale, wet air in the burrow causes mold and mites. Vent low on two walls.
Care Basics
- Pack 6 in+ of coco fiber/topsoil, deep.
- Vent low on two opposite walls so the burrow does not go stale.
- Use a secure, locking lid.
- Hold 75-85°F day, low 70s°F at night.
- Keep a shallow water dish full.
- Handle only with tools, never bare hands.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Feed roaches or crickets no longer than half the body. Juveniles every 4-7 days, adults every 10-14 days. Judge by body condition, not the calendar.
- Coloration deepens with age through molts, so a young animal looks duller than a mature one.
- Pull uneaten prey within 24 hours. A loose roach can nip a centipede mid-molt. Never disturb a fresh molt.
Current Big Z's catalog: Yes
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'
Sold under its hobby name. This guide covers the group or trade name this fella is sold as, so the ranges fit the whole group. Start in the middle and watch how your animal settles in.
Lava Centipede (Piceoflava): Advanced Care Guide
Keeper Snapshot: A near-black color form of the giant Asian centipede, gold-orange banded legs, deep red head. Adults commonly reach 7-8 in, to 10. Medically significant bite. Fast, 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, low 70s°F at night |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-85%, ventilated at substrate level, dry refuge zone |
| Setup Type | Terrestrial burrower, deep substrate |
| Substrate | 6 in+ packed coco fiber/topsoil, damp below |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets weekly, 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
- Juveniles: Baby Buddy, deep substrate started early.
- Subadults: Burrow Buddy grow-out, packed substrate, secure lid.
- Adults (7-8 in): larger 6 in+ deep-substrate terrestrial, locking lid.
Warnings First
- Medically significant bite: severe pain, swelling, and rare tissue damage.
- Extremely fast, strong escape artist. Tool-only handling at every opening.
- Solitary. Never house together, they injure or kill each other.
- Slips through gaps that look too narrow. Check every seal and the lid lock.
- Stale, wet air in the burrow causes mold and mites. Vent low on two walls.
Simple Care
- Pack 6 in+ of coco fiber/topsoil, deep.
- Vent low on two opposite walls so the burrow does not go stale.
- Use a secure, locking lid.
- Hold 75-85°F day, low 70s°F at night.
- Keep a shallow water dish full.
- Handle only with tools, never bare hands.
Advanced Keeper Notes
Enclosure & Microclimate
- Give deep substrate from the start. This species burrows hard, and a shallow setup leaves it stressed and exposed.
- Split the enclosure into a humid burrow zone and a drier surface zone so it can pick its own spot.
- Vent low on two opposite walls in fine mesh sized under the head width, not just in the lid.
- Hold 70-85% by keeping the lower substrate damp and running a water dish, not by sealing the vents.
- Check substrate by feel: the bottom third holds together without weeping water, the top inch can look dry.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Feed roaches or crickets no longer than half the body. Juveniles every 4-7 days, adults every 10-14 days. Judge by body condition, not the calendar.
- Coloration deepens with age through molts, so a young animal looks duller than a mature one.
- Pull uneaten prey within 24 hours. A loose roach can nip a centipede mid-molt. Never disturb a fresh molt.
Possible Origin / Range
- Likely native range: Lowland tropical forest across Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
- Habitat translation: Leaf litter and rotting logs over loose, moist forest floor soil become deep packed substrate with a dry refuge zone and cross ventilation.
Advanced Keeper Details
- Piceoflava is a color form of S. subspinipes, not a separate species. General subspinipes care applies.
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