First centipede

[draconisj4]

So I have some questions. I'm getting a 2 inch S. polymorpha next week and I'm planning on using this as an enclosure for it. I know they need good ventilation and I'm not sure how many and what size ventilation holes to put in this. I know they need to be high up, but should just the top have a lot of holes and some around the upper sides, or the other way around?

What size water dish would be appropriate? I'm assuming a bottle cap would work for a small centipede. I've read through some of the threads and care sheets on here but some of them aren't very clear if you're a noob,lol.

I'm also assuming that pouring a bit of water on half the substrate so there's a moisture gradient will be ok. I also plan on putting a cork bark flat, some dried oak leaves and maybe a bit of sphagnum moss in Please correct me if I'm wrong, I want to make sure I'll be taking care of the little pede properly. Thanks

 

[draconisj4]

A

So I have some questions. I'm getting a 2 inch S. polymorpha next week and I'm planning on using this as an enclosure for it. I know they need good ventilation and I'm not sure how many and what size ventilation holes to put in this. I know they need to be high up, but should just the top have a lot of holes and some around the upper sides, or the other way around?

What size water dish would be appropriate? I'm assuming a bottle cap would work for a small centipede. I've read through some of the threads and care sheets on here but some of them aren't very clear if you're a noob,lol.

I'm also assuming that pouring a bit of water on half the substrate so there's a moisture gradient will be ok. I also plan on putting a cork bark flat, some dried oak leaves and maybe a bit of sphagnum moss in Please correct me if I'm wrong, I want to make sure I'll be taking care of the little pede properly. Thanks

And I just reliased I forgot to put in the picture

 

[Chris LXXIX]

The important thing is to offer always a no escapes enclosure. Your seems ok.

An other important thing is to add a lot of stuff inside, like little stones, pieces of cork bark, fake leaves etc because 'pedes love to hide

 

[NYAN]

Cross ventilation is always good to have, that being said add some on the side to achieve this. For substate, adding sand (calcium free) is good as well. For the moisture you want it to not be dry or too damp. The water dish can be a bottle cap. I’m not sure the dimensions of that container but you can house a 2 inch one in something smaller.

 

[RTTB]

The gasket seal on your enclosure really helps with making it escape proof.

 

[draconisj4]

Cross ventilation is always good to have, that being said add some on the side to achieve this. For substate, adding sand (calcium free) is good as well. For the moisture you want it to not be dry or too damp. The water dish can be a bottle cap. I’m not sure the dimensions of that container but you can house a 2 inch one in something smaller.

It 10x8x9 inches, I figured a bit larger container would eliminate the need for rehousing as it grows plus it's the only one I have that's tall and has a gasket. I'm going to be using the centipede substrate from BIC as I use his substrates for some of my other inverts and have had good results, plus it's easier than mixing my own because I'm lazy, lol.

 

[draconisj4]

The important thing is to offer always a no escapes enclosure. Your seems ok.

An other important thing is to add a lot of stuff inside, like little stones, pieces of cork bark, fake leaves etc because 'pedes love to hide

No worries there, I have lots of bits of cork bark left over from making hides for the T's

 

[LawnShrimp]

Polys do prefer drier substrate, so plenty of ventilation (plus a moisture gradient) is great. Just make sure that it can't reach any hole it can fit into. As it grows it may be able to reach the holes but by then will be too big to escape though it.
Adding sand, grit, or fine gravel helps make it more desert-y but BIC 'pede sub works fine. A bottlecap is a perfectly fine dish!

 

[Greenjewls]

Many (if not most) small "polymorphas" sold on the trade are actually S. viridis. A similar looking centipede that grows to about half the size. Got any pics?

 

[NYAN]

Many (if not most) small "polymorphas" sold on the trade are actually S. viridis. A similar looking centipede that grows to about half the size. Got any pics?

I’ve never heard this before? Also I don’t think they look too simmilar.

 

[draconisj4]

Many (if not most) small "polymorphas" sold on the trade are actually S. viridis. A similar looking centipede that grows to about half the size. Got any pics?

No, I haven't gotten it yet, it will be here next week. The seller had it listed as a 2+ inch Tiger Centipede color morph

 

[LawnShrimp]

I’ve never heard this before? Also I don’t think they look too simmilar.

There are small Arizona viridis that have a brownish, yellowish color quite different from the bright yellow with blue stripe that the Florida viridis have. S. viridis has several subspecies and the AZ viridis might be one of those.
Occasionally the AZ viridis and similar-looking polys are called polyviridis, a term I quite dislike.

 

[draconisj4]

Another quick question, I need to make the ventilation holes today and the smallest soldering tip I have makes 1/8inch (3.175 mm) holes. Is this too large for that size centipede? I do have a smaller drill bit, but I don't like using a drill on this type of plastic as it leaves sharp edges.

 

[LawnShrimp]

Another quick question, I need to make the ventilation holes today and the smallest soldering tip I have makes 1/8inch (3.175 mm) holes. Is this too large for that size centipede? I do have a smaller drill bit, but I don't like using a drill on this type of plastic as it leaves sharp edges.

It probably will be fine but try to put as many as you can higher up on the enclosure. When you get the 'pede you will see for sure, and make adjustments so ventilation is optimal.

 

[draconisj4]

It probably will be fine but try to put as many as you can higher up on the enclosure. When you get the 'pede you will see for sure, and make adjustments so ventilation is optimal.

Thank you

 

[the league of shadows]

The important thing is to offer always a no escapes enclosure. Your seems ok.

An other important thing is to add a lot of stuff inside, like little stones, pieces of cork bark, fake leaves etc because 'pedes love to hide

Agree

 

[the league of shadows]

I also like to place dwarf isopods or springtails in my pedes enclosures because of the humidity AND and they help clean up behind them.

 

[NYAN]

I also like to place dwarf isopods or springtails in my pedes enclosures because of the humidity AND and they help clean up behind them.

Some say isopods can eat a centipede or damage it during molting. That being said I do have one enclosure with a few in it. I’m not certain if it may require many individuals to really cause harm though.

 

[the league of shadows]

Some say isopods can eat a centipede or damage it during molting.

Yeah i heard that to but this is why i only use the dwarfs as they have never brought any harm to my pedes.

 

[NYAN]

Yeah i heard that to but this is why i only use the dwarfs as they have never brought any harm to my pedes.

I know very little about isopods, but the ones I use are small and grey. I got them as freebees from someone very experienced with pedes, so I figured I would try it out.