Centipede Care Guide

Centipedes are intriguing pets, albeit potentially dangerous due to their venomous nature. While not typically lethal to humans, it's crucial to provide them with an appropriate habitat, regular feeding, and handle them with care. Keeping a centipede can be enjoyable, but precaution is essential for their longevity.

Secure a suitable and secure enclosure. Since centipedes are adept at escaping, opt for an enclosure that's escape-proof. Consider using an aquarium with a snugly fitted screen lid or a sturdy plastic container with ventilation holes.

Maintain an optimal temperature for your centipede. Most centipedes thrive in temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Additionally, they require a humid environment with humidity levels ranging from 75% to 85%.

• Ensure warmth in their habitat using methods such as heating pads, night bulbs, or ceramic heaters. However, be cautious as these methods can potentially dry out the enclosure.
• To maintain proper humidity, place a water dish in the habitat that needs to be regularly replenished.

Adjust lighting in your centipede's habitat to accommodate its nocturnal nature. Since centipedes are nocturnal, they do not need bright lighting. If you wish to observe them during the evening, consider using a nocturnal light, similar to those used for amphibians.

• Avoid bright lighting in the centipede's habitat during the evening; instead, keep it dimly lit.
• For nighttime observation, opt for a nocturnal light that emits heat without excessive brightness, allowing you to observe the centipede without disrupting its natural cycle.

Select appropriate substrate for your centipede. Centipedes prefer to burrow during the day, so it's essential to provide substrate deep enough for them to do so.

• Ensure the substrate is at least as deep as the centipede's length to accommodate its burrowing behavior during the daytime.
• Various materials can be used for substrate, including potting compost, peat moss, or soil, which should retain moisture and support the centipede's burrowing habits. Peat moss is particularly recommended as it helps prevent mold growth in the humid habitat.

Provide proper nutrition for your centipede. Centipedes thrive on live prey, so ensure a regular supply of various live creatures for your pet centipede. Their hunting behavior is fascinating to observe due to their agility and assertiveness.

• Feed your centipede at least twice daily and remove any uneaten food promptly with forceps.
• Be cautious not to feed your centipede prey larger than half its size to avoid injury during feeding.

Select appropriate prey for feeding your centipede. Smaller centipedes consume tiny insects such as fruit flies, carpet beetle larvae, and small crickets. As your centipede grows, you can introduce larger prey like cockroaches, adult crickets, and silverfish.

• Ensure the prey is smaller than your centipede and safe for it to hunt.
• Avoid feeding wild insects to your pet centipede, as they may carry pesticides harmful to its health. Purchase prey from a local feed or pet store instead.

Provide soft-bodied prey for your centipede. Earthworms, slugs, and snails can serve as suitable live prey. Ensure that the prey hasn't been exposed to harmful chemicals.

• Centipedes should have no trouble handling soft-bodied prey, although smaller centipedes might struggle with larger earthworms.
• Purchase soft-bodied prey from a feed or pet store; earthworms are often available at fishing or tackle shops.

Offer arachnids as prey for your centipede. Centipedes enjoy feeding on live prey, particularly arachnids such as spiders. The centipede will use its venom to paralyze the spider before consuming it.

• Ensure any arachnid provided to your centipede is non-venomous, as venomous spiders pose a threat to centipedes.

Feed large prey to your centipede. Very large centipedes can consume small animals such as mice, lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, or bats. Mice and frogs are typically easier to find and feed to your centipede.

• For very large centipedes, consider using lizards or rats as prey. Their venom should allow them to safely subdue and consume these animals.
• Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent rotting.

Ensure water availability for your pet centipede. Water provides centipedes with essential hydration and helps maintain proper humidity levels. It can be accessed from a water dish or through regular misting.

• Although centipedes obtain most of their water from their food, a water dish is crucial for maintaining humidity levels in their habitat.
• Provide enough water to prevent dehydration, as drying out often occurs due to moisture loss through spiracle openings.

Exercise caution when interacting with your centipede. Always handle it with thick gloves and tools typically used for handling snakes. Minimize handling unless absolutely necessary.

• Although centipede venom is not typically lethal to humans, it can cause various issues such as fever, dizziness, and respiratory difficulties. Additionally, it may trigger allergic reactions.
• Wear protective gloves when handling your centipede. Due to their surprising speed, ensure that your gloves offer adequate coverage for your arms as well.

Handle your centipede gently to prevent harm. Centipedes can be sensitive to handling, so avoid squeezing too tightly or dropping them.

• Ensure a gentle yet secure grip on your centipede to avoid injury while maintaining control over its movements. Remain vigilant of its behavior to prevent potential bites.

Return your centipede to its habitat if it becomes overly active. Attempt handling it again once it has settled down.

Address centipede bites promptly. While rarely fatal, centipede bites can be extremely painful. Immediately apply ice to reduce swelling and seek medical attention if necessary.

• Centipede bites typically manifest as two puncture wounds accompanied by redness and swelling. In some cases, they may lead to headaches or dizziness.
• Clean the bite area with warm water and soap. Apply ice or analgesic gel to alleviate swelling if present.
• If pain persists beyond a day or if additional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or fever develop, consult a doctor immediately as it could indicate an allergic reaction.

Avoid housing multiple centipedes together. Centipedes are not communal creatures and are best kept individually in captivity. If you desire multiple pet centipedes, ensure they each have their own separate habitat.