Is the Amazon giant centipede actually venomous?
The Amazon giant centipede, also known as the Robusta giant centipede, is a terrestrial arthropod in the family Scolopendridae and the genus Scolopendra. Its body color is generally red, and it is mainly distributed in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and other countries and regions of the Amazon River basin. It ties for third place alongside the Galapagos giant centipede. Let's take a look below at whether the Amazon giant centipede is venomous!
Is the Amazon giant centipede venomous?
The Amazon giant centipede is venomous. Centipede venom is a toxin released when a centipede stings humans or animals. Similar to snake venom, it is mainly composed of proteins. At the sting site it can cause redness, swelling and burning pain, and also produces lymphangitis, but the systemic reaction is relatively mild. It can cause chills, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, delirium and convulsions, and in severe cases can even lead to death.
How long is the Amazon giant centipede?
The Amazon giant centipede has a body length of 25-30 cm and its body color is generally red. As for black individuals, one explanation is that the color change is caused by individual variation, and another explanation is that black individuals are actually Galapagos giant centipedes. This is because the individual in the most convincing and most widely circulated photograph was 44 cm long, far exceeding the average body length of the Amazon giant centipede.
A grand roundup of the world's giant centipedes
1. Vietnamese giant centipede: The Vietnamese giant centipede is the largest centipede in Asia, with a body length that can reach more than 30 cm. It is relatively venomous, fierce by nature and sensitive. Under normal circumstances it will actively attack other arthropods near it. It is mainly distributed in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and other places in Asia. It mainly has a black body and yellow (red, orange) legs.
2. Peruvian giant centipede: The Peruvian giant centipede reaches a maximum of 41-42 cm and is distributed on Trinidad Island in the Caribbean Sea and in Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and other Amazon River basin areas of South America. Before the Galapagos giant centipede, the Peruvian giant centipede was generally considered the largest species in the world. It is divided into the yellow-legged type and the orange-legged type. On the island of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, a wild individual of the yellow-legged type was once found measuring 41-42 cm long.
3. Galapagos giant centipede: The Galapagos giant centipede, also known as Gala, has an average body length of 25-26 cm. The longest Galapagos giant centipede can even grow to more than 30 cm, and there are even unconfirmed reports that an individual of 62 cm was once captured. The Galapagos giant centipede looks very similar to the Hainan intermediate-legged centipede. Its body color is pure black and it is extremely stout. It is distributed on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands, the coastal areas of Ecuador, southern Peru, the Cook Islands and other places.
4. North American giant centipede: The North American giant centipede is the largest species in North America, with a body length of 18-20 cm. It feeds on insects such as crickets. Not only is it relatively large in size, but it also has an "extremely fierce" temperament. Combined with its high ornamental value, it is a very popular species among enthusiasts.
5. Puerto Rican giant centipede: The Puerto Rican giant centipede is a centipede species mainly distributed in Puerto Rico, Haiti and other countries and regions of the Caribbean. Its body length is 20-25 cm, its mode of reproduction is oviparous, and it feeds on insects such as crickets.