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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Centipedes (Chilopoda) » Tropical Centipedes (Scolopendromorpha) » Scolopendridae » Scolopendra » Giant Redheaded Centipede (Scolopendra heros)
Photo#70057
Creepy-Crawly from Hell - Giant Desert Centipede - Scolopendra heros - Scolopendra heros
Copyright © 2006 Ed Johnson

Creepy-Crawly from Hell - Giant Desert Centipede - Scolopendra heros - Scolopendra heros
Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas, USA
August 10, 2006
Size: 160 mm (!)
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Contributed by Ed Johnson on 11 August, 2006 - 3:51pm
Last updated 26 August, 2006 - 7:34am

Scolopendra heros
Another color variant of S. heros Girard, 1853, the largest-bodied centipede in North America, growing up to 7 inches or so. It ranges from Kansas & southern Missouri to Louisiana, and westward through Texas & New Mexico/eastern Colorado to the Colorado River in Arizona. It ranges southward about 1/4 of the way into Mexico, and has not been authentically found west of the Colorado River in California.
… Rowland Shelley, 7 March, 2007 - 8:47pm login or register to post comments

Wow!
Looks like a good match for this one in the guide. I don't know if there are any similar species.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 11 August, 2006 - 4:41pm login or register to post comments

 
Scolopendra heros castaneiceps
I concur with Hannah. This centipede is common throughout the midwest and we see them a lot in Oklahoma. From being a myriapod fan, I know there is a Chinese species that is very similar in coloration and size. I don't know about venom toxicity, however. The centipedes in the U.S. may look scary and fast but they don't kill people.
… Aaron Goodwin, 25 August, 2006 - 10:25pm login or register to post comments

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