I have been running the rounds through various online dealer sites and may purchase a Giant Centipede and have come down to either buying a Haitian Giant Centipede (S. alternans) which appears to be a phenomenal buy for the buck or one of the many colorful forms of S. subspinipes. Botar's website has some of the most stunning invert photos around and I am personally favoring S. alternans. Is there anything I should know to encourage me or persuade me otherwise?
Advice on Giant Centipede
- Thread starter Selenops
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That can a very important determining factor, I've kept the purple Vietnamese and other common S. subspinipes colorations and they were quite active most nights of the week. I do enjoy and keep Asian tarantulas but yeah I'd like to have an active above terra centipede yet I might not dislike a contrary species, hard to say.
Pet holes can be a bummer though alas where is the show.
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I have a big S. alternans and man, you cannot possibly be disappointed with this pede. First & foremost, it makes my of-equal-length S. subspinipes look puny by comparison. The alternans is a big thick beast, everything about it is large. (In fact, it's my largest animal atm 
) It used to bury itself for weeks/months at a time, emerging only when hungry, but the last few months have seen it topside about half the time. It even molted on the surface. I wouldn't call it "active" as it really doesn't move around too much, but it's certainly visible. I will be sad as hell when this pede passes away and really hope there are some CB available in Canada by that time. My highest recommendation.
) It used to bury itself for weeks/months at a time, emerging only when hungry, but the last few months have seen it topside about half the time. It even molted on the surface. I wouldn't call it "active" as it really doesn't move around too much, but it's certainly visible. I will be sad as hell when this pede passes away and really hope there are some CB available in Canada by that time. My highest recommendation.I'll admit the alternans near impossible to put down for beauty and size, love the tergite contrasts. And the legs and antenna are absolutely stunning.
I am also checking out that Indonesian Black-Tipped pede I love pedes that have the dark bodies where their legs and lungs are located (sorry, my technical jargon is not technical frankly because my scientific books are buried in the garage and I am not googling all day either).
Both selections have their pros and cons, subspinipes will run track all night long for many-a-days in captive care to the owner's delight but in everything else H alternans is pretty much a perfect pede IMO.
It's going to take some thought however I am leery about having nothing to observe but substrate and decor over too long of a period. But on the other hand I have had subspinipes disappear under the substrate for a month at a time and what I cared for back then may not apply to what species are available now either.
I am also checking out that Indonesian Black-Tipped pede I love pedes that have the dark bodies where their legs and lungs are located (sorry, my technical jargon is not technical frankly because my scientific books are buried in the garage and I am not googling all day either).
Both selections have their pros and cons, subspinipes will run track all night long for many-a-days in captive care to the owner's delight but in everything else H alternans is pretty much a perfect pede IMO.
It's going to take some thought however I am leery about having nothing to observe but substrate and decor over too long of a period. But on the other hand I have had subspinipes disappear under the substrate for a month at a time and what I cared for back then may not apply to what species are available now either.
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I advise you to purchase numerous pedes of varying species.
An act that is very easy to perform, I suffer compulsive hand jerks towards wallets and phones.I advise you to purchase numerous pedes of varying species.
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We share a common affliction. Damn credit cards anyway. :wall:An act that is very easy to perform, I suffer compulsive hand jerks towards wallets and phones.
*bump*
I am still window shopping, of the choices currently available torn between S. alternans, Indo Black Tips, Cherry Legs, and Thai/Malaysian Giants.
Every dealer has stated the latter is a known 10"+ giant they're selling'em at half that size or subadult. But I love the heavy body though I think the three others have it beat in coloration well at least by the internet pics.
And the child in me deeply desires a 42 legged "apex invert" train of destruction.
ATM, I might be only considering two giant centipede additions to my invert collection. Or should I hold out and see what lies behind curtain number 2 next month?
I am still window shopping, of the choices currently available torn between S. alternans, Indo Black Tips, Cherry Legs, and Thai/Malaysian Giants.
Every dealer has stated the latter is a known 10"+ giant they're selling'em at half that size or subadult. But I love the heavy body though I think the three others have it beat in coloration well at least by the internet pics.
And the child in me deeply desires a 42 legged "apex invert" train of destruction.
ATM, I might be only considering two giant centipede additions to my invert collection. Or should I hold out and see what lies behind curtain number 2 next month?
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Not sure what color morphs all the common names are referring to exactly anymore. But I'm thinking the Malaysian Cherry-red is the same as the Malaysian Giant?
Yeah, what is this Chinese Giant Red?
And the Vietnamese Giant Red?
I don't enjoy the sudden influx of common names. No, the particular Malaysian I am referring is off the top of my head on Botar's site under Thai Giant and at Krazy8s I believe under Malaysian Giant. It looks mahogany or olive color, very heavy bodied with red-tipped yellow leggs.
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i got a little one from botar, as he called it a "malaysian cherry leg" and it looks beautiful. its a cherry red except for its head which is a shiny blue color. its stunning when i can see it... i havent seen it for the past week :/ but thats what i get for putting it in a 20g long >.>
You might like to very gently dig it up and put in a deli cup until it's at 3" or 4" in length. 20g is even large for a 10" centipede.
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yeah right after i put it in and it took off down a hole i realized... mabye i shouldntve done that x.x live and learn... i just might do that.
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well, after 20 minutes of chasing and a close call, its in something better. phew...
That's good!
The pede forum has become too slow for my tastes. Okay I have some pedes coming in Tuesday. But I am still looking for more and deciding between S alternans, Indo Black Tipped, S heros castaneiceps, S heros heros, and the classic Purple Beast (Vietnamese Giant Centipede).
Of these I have had S hero castaneiceps and the classic Vietnamese Giant Centipede before. Most popular choice probably be S heros heros for it's rarity.
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I keep the Thai Giants on the moist side. Always clean standing water as they come from a very humid environment ... as nasty as they are when you open the enclosure - they don't topple the water dish as soon as you turn your back like some others. I keep them on 90/10 peat/vermiculite.
Keep in mind the "Sinai Colored Centipede" or 'Sinai Desert Pede' which I named myself as I couldn't find any like photos or information other than the area in which it was collected - the Sinai Desert - you got the second to last - the other is about 2" - as well as a new batch in quarantine - so I do not include them as they must become well established first. I kept the one I sent you has in a peat/sand 50/50 with a very gentle mist (as I readily moisten the substrate of others) once per week - always clean standing water in a ceramic dish as not to be toppled. As they are a Chilopoda species from an area where it rarely rains; I have kept these dryer than US desert species - I think they are by far the most aesthetically appealing - and all tolerated my humidity experimentation - no captive deaths.
Here is the a link in regards to the climate:
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/egypt.htm
This is the only Chilopod I have kept, which thrives in a dry 50% sand substrate. Always keep your eyes open - it had always been extremely hyper active at the slightest disturbance. If it shows any signs of lethargy, then this is probably a sign that the moisture needs to be fluctuated one way or another. * This is based on my personal experience. If someone else has kept this centipede they may have good advice. I am not a centipede expert. and operate on trial/error and any information I can absorb. If you can post a pic - as it is now yours and not mine, perhaps it will be recognized. Here is the photo I took of it.
This photo is a temporary enclosure when it first arrived - notice no sand or ceramic dish. If there were only 36 hours in a day I would have taken more photos. I will try send or post some more when I take them.
This is a close up (with my awful camera) of the Thai Giant.
Keep in mind the "Sinai Colored Centipede" or 'Sinai Desert Pede' which I named myself as I couldn't find any like photos or information other than the area in which it was collected - the Sinai Desert - you got the second to last - the other is about 2" - as well as a new batch in quarantine - so I do not include them as they must become well established first. I kept the one I sent you has in a peat/sand 50/50 with a very gentle mist (as I readily moisten the substrate of others) once per week - always clean standing water in a ceramic dish as not to be toppled. As they are a Chilopoda species from an area where it rarely rains; I have kept these dryer than US desert species - I think they are by far the most aesthetically appealing - and all tolerated my humidity experimentation - no captive deaths.
Here is the a link in regards to the climate:
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/egypt.htm
This is the only Chilopod I have kept, which thrives in a dry 50% sand substrate. Always keep your eyes open - it had always been extremely hyper active at the slightest disturbance. If it shows any signs of lethargy, then this is probably a sign that the moisture needs to be fluctuated one way or another. * This is based on my personal experience. If someone else has kept this centipede they may have good advice. I am not a centipede expert. and operate on trial/error and any information I can absorb. If you can post a pic - as it is now yours and not mine, perhaps it will be recognized. Here is the photo I took of it.
This photo is a temporary enclosure when it first arrived - notice no sand or ceramic dish. If there were only 36 hours in a day I would have taken more photos. I will try send or post some more when I take them.
This is a close up (with my awful camera) of the Thai Giant.
Hey Jason, thanks for the info!
I will try and get a pic of the pede up soon. I placed it on 2" of 50/50 sand/coconut coir, waterdish, and small malpani wood decor in the center. Abit on the moist side both substrates complimenting each other and creating some consistancy. I took a nap after last night's mountain dew sleep deprivation and checked on the Sinai Desert Centipede and found it had created three burrows quite intricate looking with several entrances spaced apart covering half the cage floor.
I definitely would be interested in acquiring one or two more of these centipedes from you, the markings are fantastic and beautiful. Not really stripped but what can be described as "eye marks" down the dorsal of the tergites. Very active and unique. One of my personal favs in my collection.
I will try and get a pic of the pede up soon. I placed it on 2" of 50/50 sand/coconut coir, waterdish, and small malpani wood decor in the center. Abit on the moist side both substrates complimenting each other and creating some consistancy. I took a nap after last night's mountain dew sleep deprivation and checked on the Sinai Desert Centipede and found it had created three burrows quite intricate looking with several entrances spaced apart covering half the cage floor.
I definitely would be interested in acquiring one or two more of these centipedes from you, the markings are fantastic and beautiful. Not really stripped but what can be described as "eye marks" down the dorsal of the tergites. Very active and unique. One of my personal favs in my collection.