Centipedes have a rounded or flattened head, bearing a pair of antennae at the forward margin. The word “centipede” comes from Latin (centi-meaning “hundred” and pedis meaning “foot”) and it means “with 100 legs”. Centipedes belong to the class of Chilopoda and there are some 3,150 represented throughout the world. But like almost every other bug out there, a centipede … This creature can be found all around Australia except for Tasmania. Clean up basements, closets, or any other damp areas, and use a dehumidifier. Australian Centipedes are carnivorous, feeding on a variety of small animals (including frogs and lizards! As the name says, they are multi-legged creatures. Centipedes can be as long as 12 inches, but are usually about 2-3 inches long. Centipedes belonging to the group scolopendromorpha have large sickle-shaped pincers, called ‘forcipules’, with a blade-like inner edge they use to inject the venom. Larger Australian Centipedes can give a painful, but not life-threatening, bite. Following the general rule, it would be expected they’d have simpler, less potent venom, but this is not the case, as Australian researchers have found. They have a pair of elongated mandibles, and two pairs of maxillae.The first pair of maxillae form the lower lip, and bear short palps.The first pair of limbs stretch forward from the body to cover the remainder of the mouth. Centipedes dry out and die if they don't stay in a moist environment. Centipedes like dark and damp areas, so you should make sure they don’t have any places to hide. Not only does this centipede look creepy but the fact that they are nocturnal makes it worse, they hide during the day and hunt their prey at night. It is a long, slender centipede with striking coloration. ), but mainly insects. Bites from a giant centipede, known as a Vietnamese centipede or Chinese red-headed centipede, can cause swelling and severe pain for up to five days. This armored creature is no ordinary centipede — it can kill its prey with one swift venomous jab. The typical response to a house centipede probably involves a shoe to squash the intruder immediately. The bright colors of the giant red-headed centipede have a message for you: Handle with great care! Close-up of the tail-like rear pair of legs of a centipede. Silica is an absorbent that wicks away moisture from the air and ground. Place packets of silica in the dampest places of your home. To get rid of these pests and prevent them from entering your home, clear any debris from around your property where they could take up residence, such as piles of firewood or dead leaves. Scolopendra subspinipes is a species of very large centipede found throughout eastern Asia. 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