What you need to look after a centipede

Temperament

Centipedes are very different to millipedes. They are very aggressive and venomous and can't be handled. They can climb so their tank or tub needs a secure lid.

Enclosure

Centipedes don’t require a lot of room and can live quite happy in a terrarium 20cm x 20cm

 

Size

10 -18cm

 

Diet
Centipedes are carnivorous predators which feed on live crickets, cockroaches etc.

 

Life Span

Centipedes can live up 15 years.

Substrate

Ideal substrate is a 50:50 mix of moist coco peat and beach sand. They also require large rocks and stones to burrow under. They should be housed alone. 

 

Misting Bottle

Centipedes do not drink from a water bowl. Instead they Absorb Water through their skin it is important to keep one side of their enclosure damp using a misting bottle with de-chlorinated water.

 

Licence and Care
In Queensland you do not need a license to keep any native centipedes but you DO need a permit to collect. All of these creatures of course are susceptible to diseases such as fungal and viral infections and parasitic infestations also, so hygiene is still important. 

 

 

Equipment

 

• Tank
• Substrate (Peat Moss)
• Crickets
• Misting bottle
• Décor
• Water De-chlorinator