How to Care for a Vietnamese Centipede

The Vietnamese centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) is a popular choice for a starter centipede. Vietnamese centipedes are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain. They also come in a wide variety of colors and are poisonous like all centipedes, so they should not be kept by beginners. The following steps will help you care for this popular species.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Use a 5- to 10-gallon tank. Make sure the tank is high enough to prevent the centipedes from escaping. The Vietnamese centipede can live in groups, but don't overcrowd them since they are an active and aggressive species.
2. Lay down 3 to 4 inches of peat moss or potting soil as a substrate. Keep this substrate slightly damp. The Vietnamese centipede can burrow but usually does not if it is comfortable with its surroundings. Keep the enclosure dark or dimly lit.
3. Keep the enclosure for this centipede warm (75 to 85 degrees) and humid (75 to 80 percent). Humidity should be monitored and can be increased by covering the top of the enclosure with plastic wrap.
4. Provide almost any live prey smaller than the centipede. It can successfully hunt most insects or even small mice, because an adult can attain a length of 8 inches.
5. Put babies in a separate container with air holes, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• All centipedes are poisonous, but this species is especially dangerous. A bite will be painful but probably not fatal, unless the victim is allergic to the venom.