Any handleable centipedes?

[Vinegaroonie]

Hi there-

I've just been wondering, are there any handleable centipedes with low venom toxicity? I have a small fear of them and want to get over it.

Thx,

Vinegaroonie

 

[lancej]

There may be some, but the only centipedes I know that won't bite are dead ones. I have a healthy respect for all centipedes, therefore, I will not handle any of them. It is fascinating enough for me to just observe them. Sometimes a little fear is a good thing - better than getting bit! Just sayin'!

 

[Equinox]

I would not recommend handling ANY species of centipede.
Saying you want to get over your fear of centipedes by holding one is like saying you want to get over your fear of lions by going and hugging one.
I would find another way to get over your fear of them other than holding one.
They willingly attack things which move close to them... That's just what they do. It would be pointless trying to find a way to convince yourself that really there is nothing to fear, because there is! You'd just be kidding yourself even if you did manage to pick one up without a bite. I think it's good to have abit of fear, otherwise you can get complacent. I'm nervous whenever I put even tweezers in its cage to move things around!

Besides, I kinda like the fact they are wired. Makes great viewing when they are out hunting

 

[Smokehound714]

The only centipedes I trust on my hand are scutigera. Even they can be kinda evil, sometimes.


Scolopendra is a mean genus. Dont handle 'em! if you allow them to walk on you, they will stop and attempt to feed on you. We're pretty much giant bags of meat to them. lol

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Scutigera don't bite and millipedes don't bite but none of the big centipedes do not bite. If your only concern is venom toxicity rather than pain then all the big ones should be fine, none of them cause allergic reactions and none are deadly (unless you get a secondary infection that you could get from any cut).

 

[tmcv]

Scutigera don't bite and millipedes don't bite but none of the big centipedes do not bite. If your only concern is venom toxicity rather than pain then all the big ones should be fine, none of them cause allergic reactions and none are deadly (unless you get a secondary infection that you could get from any cut).

Sorry but you're completely wrong.... Any venom can cause anaphylactic reaction, even ant, bee or any oher kind of venom, depending only of the individual immune response, because of that you can never said that none of them cause allergic reaction (and allergy is the wrong name here... but, any venom can cause allergy as well).

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Sorry but you're completely wrong.... Any venom can cause anaphylactic reaction, even ant, bee or any oher kind of venom, depending only of the individual immune response, because of that you can never said that none of them cause allergic reaction (and allergy is the wrong name here... but, any venom can cause allergy as well).

There has only ever been a single case of anaphylactic shock recorded for a centipede bite and the centipede was of course never found. There is probably more compelling evidence for big foot but as you say, anything is possible. At least I hope we can agree if someone were to have a severe reaction they would get their name in a medical journal for sure.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Like Elytra and Antenna said Scutigera do not bite. My Scutigera coleoptrata (House Centipede) runs all over my hand and it is SUPER creepy. If you believe holding a super creepy non-bitey centipede will get you over your small fear, then I would go with a house centipede. Good luck! :biggrin:

Can you do a video and post it? :biggrin:

 

[Smokehound714]

Scutigera dont bite, eh? you guys sure you wanna say this?


I bet if you grabbed one it would sting ya hard.



regardless, they are indeed fairly safe to handle. Just really skittish and FAST.

 

[Vinegaroonie]

Ullgh those really scare me. I'd rather risk getting bit than hold one of those.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Scutigera dont bite, eh? you guys sure you wanna say this?


I bet if you grabbed one it would sting ya hard.

I have collected well over a hundred by hand over the years and have tested my claim in practice. The problem with grabbing them is their legs fall off.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Seconding E&A here...collected many myself and I don't think they even have the capability of breaking the skin.