Galapagoensis Socialization Gone Wrong?

[dragonofend]

Today I finally decided to begin socializing my dark morph galap pedeling (about 4-5 inches if I had to guess). I took out his hide and let him try calming down before trying anything. After some time he began walking around relatively calmly, biting his water bowl and some dirt and such, but seemingly in a more exploratory way. I’ve been told this species and morph are pretty bitey, so I felt good.

I finally decided to stick my hand in and let him explore. He calmly walked over to my hand and started biting me. Bite, walk a few steps, bite, etc. after the 4th or 5th bite I had enough, put his hide back in, and pushed him off me. He ended up under his hide but seemed calm still.

Ive had a bad experience flinging him when he bit me before (he was okay), but this time went a lot better. Even after I pushed him off, he still seemed calm. Only the last 2 bites feel wet, more so with the last one. I’m wondering if all dark morph galap pedelings eventually calm down. Normally he’s super skittish, and showed that off a little before he calmed down, but he hated me more than his water dish.

He hasn’t eaten in over a month but hasn’t seemed particularly interested in food. He has been more active the last couple days, but I also brought him to a more tropical area with me, so I figured he just likes the place more.

Bottom line: can I still socialize him, and will I have to expect more of this?

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Everyone has their own opinions on this, but I personally think these animals shouldn't be handled. As you're aware, some species have medically significant, extremely painful bites. Almost all of the bite reports I've read have involved handling. They're beautiful animals that do well when respected and observed from a distance. But of course, we're not here to lecture you and you can make your own decisions.

 

[Teds ts and Inverts]

Today I finally decided to begin socializing my dark morph galap pedeling (about 4-5 inches if I had to guess). I took out his hide and let him try calming down before trying anything. After some time he began walking around relatively calmly, biting his water bowl and some dirt and such, but seemingly in a more exploratory way. I’ve been told this species and morph are pretty bitey, so I felt good.

I finally decided to stick my hand in and let him explore. He calmly walked over to my hand and started biting me. Bite, walk a few steps, bite, etc. after the 4th or 5th bite I had enough, put his hide back in, and pushed him off me. He ended up under his hide but seemed calm still.

Ive had a bad experience flinging him when he bit me before (he was okay), but this time went a lot better. Even after I pushed him off, he still seemed calm. Only the last 2 bites feel wet, more so with the last one. I’m wondering if all dark morph galap pedelings eventually calm down. Normally he’s super skittish, and showed that off a little before he calmed down, but he hated me more than his water dish.

He hasn’t eaten in over a month but hasn’t seemed particularly interested in food. He has been more active the last couple days, but I also brought him to a more tropical area with me, so I figured he just likes the place more.

Bottom line: can I still socialize him, and will I have to expect more of this?

When “socializing” pedes, you need to build up their trust before jumping straight into handling, especially if the individual is already jumpy/nervous, like yours is. Next time you feed it, wait for it settle down, and once it’s fully concentrated on eating its meal, gently touch its antenna to let it know you’re there. Follow this up by gently stroking the back of its head and around its mandibles for a few minutes. After several sessions like this, the pede will gradually start to recognize your scent, and it’ll more than likely stop viewing you as a potential threat.

It’s important to note that you’ll have to work with it on a consistent basis. I was once tagged by an S. heros and I believe it was because I jumped straight into handling it after having not worked with it in over 2 weeks. Best of luck!

 

[dragonofend]

Okay thank you, I never knew how long I should do hand feeding for, and I’ve always been worried about over feeding, so this is very helpful Beautiful pedes by the way

 

[Teds ts and Inverts]

Okay thank you, I never knew how long I should do hand feeding for, and I’ve always been worried about over feeding, so this is very helpful Beautiful pedes by the way

Oh no don’t hand feed them, what I meant is to start touching their heads WHILE they’re eating, lol.

 

[dragonofend]

LOL okay good to know, I’ll get a pair of tongs

 

[mantisfan101]

orange galap socialization attempt, got rid of my animal after this. I now humbly believe that "socializing" a centipede is simply not worth it and if anything is an easy way to ask for a venomous bite. 2 weeks of excruciating pain was not worth the 5 minute handling session.

 

[Ratmosphere]

orange galap socialization attempt, got rid of my animal after this. I now humbly believe that "socializing" a centipede is simply not worth it and if anything is an easy way to ask for a venomous bite. 2 weeks of excruciating pain was not worth the 5 minute handling session.

Could you write a review in bite reports? May help a ton of people.

Centipede - Scolopendra galapagoensis

Scolopendra galapagoensis bite reports

arachnoboards.com

 

[mantisfan101]

Could you write a review in bite reports? May help a ton of people.

Centipede - Scolopendra galapagoensis

Scolopendra galapagoensis bite reports

arachnoboards.com

Thought I did but realized it got deleted in a separate subforum. Filled it in now.

I will say, I was an avid pede holder(Heros, longipes, galapagoensis, polymorpha) at first and scoffed at the idea of some pedes, especially American species, having particularly strong venom. This whole situation has made me reconsider this and I don't work with larger pedes anymore with the exception of feeders for my Scolecophis. I personally think that handling pedes is dangerous, unnecessary, and nothing more than an attention grab. If you really love the animals you'll be able to enjoy them without having to go grabby grabby over them.

 

[Teds ts and Inverts]

Thought I did but realized it got deleted in a separate subforum. Filled it in now.

I will say, I was an avid pede holder(Heros, longipes, galapagoensis, polymorpha) at first and scoffed at the idea of some pedes, especially American species, having particularly strong venom. This whole situation has made me reconsider this and I don't work with larger pedes anymore with the exception of feeders for my Scolecophis. I personally think that handling pedes is dangerous, unnecessary, and nothing more than an attention grab. If you really love the animals you'll be able to enjoy them without having to go grabby grabby over them.

Same here, those pictures on my previous post are from a few years ago, I don't handle my pedes anymore.

 

[dragonofend]

I appreciate all the advice, one of the reasons I got a galap is because I heard their venom is more mild, which apparently may not be true. Even with all the risks, I do still want to handle my non-Asian pedes, though clearly that could change if I do get bit. It’s seeming like I need to be very vigilant about their feeding schedule if I handle them, since there seems to be a huge difference between a non-feeding wet bite and a feeding wet bite, and also the number of bites when in non-feeding versus feeding behavior.

 

[Matt Man]

Thought I did but realized it got deleted in a separate subforum. Filled it in now.

I will say, I was an avid pede holder(Heros, longipes, galapagoensis, polymorpha) at first and scoffed at the idea of some pedes, especially American species, having particularly strong venom. This whole situation has made me reconsider this and I don't work with larger pedes anymore with the exception of feeders for my Scolecophis. I personally think that handling pedes is dangerous, unnecessary, and nothing more than an attention grab. If you really love the animals you'll be able to enjoy them without having to go grabby grabby over them.

If pedes feel something that makes their tiny pede brain go "Is this food?" they will test bite. After test biting they look at what they've bit and ask "Now, can I kill it to eat it?"
So many "I was doing nothing and it just bit me" with pedes. You learned the hard way but have come out a more wise human

 

[mantisfan101]

If pedes feel something that makes their tiny pede brain go "Is this food?" they will test bite. After test biting they look at what they've bit and ask "Now, can I kill it to eat it?"
So many "I was doing nothing and it just bit me" with pedes. You learned the hard way but have come out a more wise human

Yeah and i’m trying to make sure that nobody else finds out the hard way either haha

I appreciate all the advice, one of the reasons I got a galap is because I heard their venom is more mild, which apparently may not be true. Even with all the risks, I do still want to handle my non-Asian pedes, though clearly that could change if I do get bit. It’s seeming like I need to be very vigilant about their feeding schedule if I handle them, since there seems to be a huge difference between a non-feeding wet bite and a feeding wet bite, and also the number of bites when in non-feeding versus feeding behavior.

If you insist on handling, I would recommend Scolopendra polymorpha. Those are pedes that I feel comfortable enough to work around and I have been bit numerous times with no serious reactions. Also I think their color variations in combination with size is awesome

 

[dragonofend]

If you insist on handling, I would recommend Scolopendra polymorpha. Those are pedes that I feel comfortable enough to work around and I have been bit numerous times with no serious reactions. Also I think their color variations in combination with size is awesome

I’m a big fan of heros arizonensis, and from what I’ve seen their bites aren’t too bad, even when used defensively. Thoughts on handling them?

 

[Matt Man]

If you insist on handling, I would recommend Scolopendra polymorpha. Those are pedes that I feel comfortable enough to work around and I have been bit numerous times with no serious reactions. Also I think their color variations in combination with size is awesome

agreed, But in other words


"They're gonna bite you, it just ain't that bad"

I’m a big fan of heros arizonensis, and from what I’ve seen their bites aren’t too bad, even when used defensively. Thoughts on handling them?

Heros? No thanks, you need to do more research. Necrotic, nausea, pain and swelling, in bad cases affects respiratory system.

S heros bite report

I tried posted in the bite report section but I guess I have insufficient privileges Intentional bite Scolopendra heros castaniceps 0.1.0 6.5”BL 10:24 bites 5-6 times below first knuckle of left pinky finger 10:30 halo around bite site. Bruising where forcipules punctured 10:35 very...

arachnoboards.com

there's videos, if I remember Coyote wasn't too happy about it