Want a Centipede?!?

[matto2k]

depends on the Sp but some can have a really nasty bite. great fun to keep though mines decided that going into hiding and not eating is the trick of the month. last month it was hidding on the lid waiting for me to open it when i put food in so it could try and escape.

if i ever figure out how to put photos on here i'll share a couple as shes an impressive 8-9 inchs at the moment and should be coming up for a shead in the not to distant.

[clockworkorange]

Through the years and because of my job, I've been bitten by quite a number of nasty things. My last bite was by a Scolopendra Sp from China... in my bed! My gf and me got tagged. Not the sweetest way to be woken up but very efficient to keep you jumping around till the morning. Basically, it hurts. a lot. The pain was most intense for about 30/40 mn for me and about 6/7 hours for my gf (she got tagged first). Swelling and joint pain followed for a couple of days. My gf kept the bite mark for about 2/3 weeks. Another friend bitten in the field by Scolopendra subspinipes subspinipes or dehaani (didn t take time to count the spines on the terminal prefemurs!) developed an ulcer about an inch wide around the bite. It took weeks to heal.
At first, the bite feels like a wasp or hornet sting. It burns. After a minute or two, the burning sensation increases with each pulse.

About the picture of the turkish guy who died after a bite by Scolopendra morsitans, it seems that the patient suffered from a subcutaneous infection. The exact role played by the venom in that particular case is not well known (if I remember well, that man had a medical condition before the bite). There are a few other medical records on centipede bites out there. I have a few pdf copies of publications on the subject. Feel free to PM me if any of you want them!

Hope that helps!

[.snap.]

no offense but its abit dumb for ur pede to be able to get out and bite you and ur gf

[C_Strike]

Originally Posted by .snap.

no offense but its abit dumb for ur pede to be able to get out and bite you and ur gf

thats the point of the understanding of them.. it does and will happen no matter your experience.
Mika aka Clockworkorange is much more knowledgeable than i on pedes. many of mine have come from Mika
Good to see you back posting some Mika!

[clockworkorange]

Originally Posted by .snap.

no offense but its abit dumb for ur pede to be able to get out and bite you and ur gf

It s exactly what i thought once i got bitten! That pede bit its way through two containers... No lid open, everything was close tight.

and yeah Cam, I m back!

[.snap.]

damn they must have some strong teeth, but your horror story hasnt put me off getting one when i have anoth expierience

[clockworkorange]

Originally Posted by .snap.

damn they must have some strong teeth, but your horror story hasnt put me off getting one when i have anoth expierience

If you have enough experience and if you're not afraid of them, go for it! they re fascinating, really!

[C_Strike]

Originally Posted by clockworkorange

If you have enough experience and if you're not afraid of them, go for it! they re fascinating, really!

wev spent a good few pages on a thread pursading him its a bad idea, he hasnt got any xp with inverts.. also a bit young. getting a B smithi tarantula, and he wants a banboon after.. so hes now on track, hehe

[.snap.]

yep they managed to get me on T's lol cant wait till the end of june then i get my luvly smithi

[C_Strike]

you really will find enough Ts and scorps to keep you entertained for many good years.. thats only researching about them! you still have breedings and stuff as well as learning then! great fun, you learn alot, and much of what you learn you can put aside to pedes..just make sure to read as much as possible they arent that bad if theyr in the tank..
its when they escape you set the alarm bells ringing.
I have mine in glass cages, and the others are in RUBs, within a exo-terra faunarium, its secure enough and clear enough for me to see escapees before opening the faunarium.