Lava Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'). Spice-rated keeper notes, care guidance, and live-arrival packing where eligible.
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.
Be honest with yourself before you buy: this is an Extreme, Spice 5 animal with medically significant venom, and the rule is tools only, every single 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.
The numbers live in the care guide. Enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, premolt signs, handling boundaries: it's all in the care guide for this exact fella. Start with the full Advanced guide, or click for the quick Open the Simple version →
Centipede
Burrow Buddy fits the listed juvenile size, but the animal may outgrow it at full adult size. Plan for larger custom terrestrial enclosure. Ask Big Z if you need help choosing the next enclosure.
Lava Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava') care guide Read shipping & LAG
Lava Centipede for sale from Big Z's (Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'). Spice-rated keeper notes, care guidance, and live-arrival packing where eligible.
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.
Be honest with yourself before you buy: this is an Extreme, Spice 5 animal with medically significant venom, and the rule is tools only, every single 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.
The numbers live in the care guide. Enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, premolt signs, handling boundaries: it's all in the care guide for this exact fella. Start with the full Advanced guide, or click for the quick Open the Simple version →
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava' - Spice 5: Extreme (Medical Significance). Baby Buddy for the current juvenile size; Burrow Buddy for the next 6-12 months of growth; Larger custom terrestrial with 6 in+ packed substrate once mature: this is a committed deep burrower and Burrow Buddy's depth is a growth-stage tool, not a forever home
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'
Identity confidence: needs verification. We have not confirmed what this animal is. Ask us before you set anything up off the name alone.
Big Z's Quick Verdict: A dramatic near-black color form of the giant Asian centipede with bold gold-orange banded legs and a deep red head. It carries the full Scolopendra subspinipes risk profile in a showier package. Adults commonly reach 7-8 inches, with large individuals to 10.
| Temp | 75-85°F day, low 70s°F at night |
|---|---|
| Humidity | Ambient 70-85%, cross-ventilated at substrate level; dry refuge zone |
| Setup | Tropical burrowing/fossorial terrestrial |
| Substrate | Deep (6 in+) packed coco fiber/topsoil blend |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets weekly, no longer than half the body |
| Handling | NEVER |
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%+
Current Big Z's catalog: Yes
Scolopendra subspinipes 'Piceoflava'
Identity confidence: needs verification. We have not confirmed what this animal is. Ask us before you set anything up off the name alone.
Keeper Snapshot: A dramatic near-black color form of the giant Asian centipede with bold gold-orange banded legs and a deep red head. It carries the full Scolopendra subspinipes risk profile in a showier package. Adults commonly reach 7-8 inches, with large individuals to 10.
| Temperature | 75-85°F day, low 70s°F at night |
|---|---|
| Humidity | Ambient 70-85%, cross-ventilated at substrate level; dry refuge zone |
| Setup Type | Tropical burrowing/fossorial terrestrial |
| Substrate | Deep (6 in+) packed coco fiber/topsoil blend |
| Feeding | Roaches/crickets weekly, no longer than half the body |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 5: Extreme (Medical Significance) |
| Handling | NEVER |
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%+
Scorpion
Scorpion
Tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantula
Scorpion
