Centipedes: Scolopendra Galapagoensis

Scolopendra galapagoensis �Dark Form�
Adult size : 26-28cm (sometimes larger)
Temp : 26C +, a temperature gradient which matches substrate humidity works (more moisture at cooler end)
Water and humidity: Water dishes can be given, the burrowing of this species means the dishes will often be filled with substrate. They will also drink water from cage sides after spraying. One end of the enclosure should be drier, with substrate deep enough to facilitate digging and burrowing behaviour. Ventilation is very important, this species can be susceptible to fungal/bacterial infections from stale and soggy conditions.
Feeding : Generally they are excellent feeders, and will accept most food which are appropriately sized.
Notes on the species: Although named after the Galapagos Islands, the forms encountered in the hobby are from the mainland, in this case, Peru. This is an unusual Giant Centipede in that the babies naturally eat the mother, going through an extra nymph stage, meaning they emerge from the nest at a large size, and are quite hardy. They are quite easy to care for and feed, and grow fairly quickly, reaching up to 6� in their first year of age. They are extremely nervous when young, so care should be taken when opening lids or doing routine maintenance, as they are liable to panic and scatter wildly.