Is this a good Centipede setup?

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

It's a 30 inch x 12 inch x 12 inch (LxWxH) terrarium. I need clamps, deeper substrate and temp/humidity gauges, but aside from that does this look good? Do Centipedes even need a water bowl?

Ah butts, it won't let me post pictures. I'll describe it:

It has EcoEarth substrate, 6 total large plastic plants, an 8 inch long and 4 inch high hiding cave, a shallow water dish and a 6-inch high climbing rock.

Does that sound good? Aside from deeper substrate, clamps, and temp/humidity gauges, any suggestions?

 

[basin79]

The humidity gauge is useless. They're not accurate. 12" isn't deep. By the time you've got 4-6" of substrate in that only leaves you 6". Your pede (if it's a juvenile or adult) will be able to quickly get out.

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

The humidity gauge is useless. They're not accurate. 12" isn't deep. By the time you've got 4-6" of substrate in that only leaves you 6". Your pede (if it's a juvenile or adult) will be able to quickly get out.

won't clamps help? Or are those useless too?

And wow, I did not know humidity gauges were useless, my whole childhood has been a lie, lmao

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Without a pic, I can't give you a proper judgement

- btw, a note about pics: if you have stored the pics you want to post on your PC/device, click 'Upload a File', search those, and you should be able to upload pics without issues -

In general for 'pede set ups, I have a rule that, obviously, I don't follow when it comes to T's. This 'rule' is: the 'more' inside the enclosure (such fake leaves, little stones, pieces of cork bark/other wood and so on) the better.

'pedes loves to hide, they feel secure... mandatory (IMO) in the case of a gravid female (happens, and often... especially since a good 95%, if not more, of 'pedes are pure WC) because 'mommy' needs to feel safe and secure, otherwise there's the risk that the whole thing goes bad.

A water dish? Yes. Despite the fact that (just like T's) they need water and access to water, and not technically a 'water dish', that never harm.

Temperature/humidity gauge aren't needed at all in all honesty, and btw majority of those ready-available/Pet Shops devices are only pure cumbersome cheap plastic crap (real serious devices, obviously, costs a lot more).

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

Without a pic, I can't give you a proper judgement

- btw, a note about pics: if you have stored the pics you want to post on your PC/device, click 'Upload a File', search those, and you should be able to upload pics without issues -

In general for 'pede set ups, I have a rule that, obviously, I don't follow when it comes to T's. This 'rule' is: the 'more' inside the enclosure (such fake leaves, little stones, pieces of cork bark/other wood and so on) the better.

'pedes loves to hide, they feel secure... mandatory (IMO) in the case of a gravid female (happens, and often... especially since a good 95%, if not more, of 'pedes are pure WC) because 'mommy' needs to feel safe and secure, otherwise there's the risk that the whole thing goes bad.

A water dish? Yes. Despite the fact that (just like T's) they need water and access to water, and not technically a 'water dish', that never harm.

Temperature/humidity gauge aren't needed at all in all honesty, and btw majority of those ready-available/Pet Shops devices are only pure cumbersome cheap plastic crap (real serious devices, obviously, costs a lot more).

Alright. Thanks! While we're at it, are tall plastic plants ok? Are the usual snake clamps (used for holding down the lid so a strong animal doesn't rip it free) ok, or should I pile books on top instead?

And, lastly, is a Giant 'pede's mandibles strong enough to shred the usual thick wire-screen top like a Camel Spider's are?

 

[basin79]

Alright. Thanks! While we're at it, are tall plastic plants ok? Are the usual snake clamps (used for holding down the lid so a strong animal doesn't rip it free) ok, or should I pile books on top instead?

And, lastly, is a Giant 'pede's mandibles strong enough to shred the usual thick wire-screen top like a Camel Spider's are?

The problem you're going to be faced with is that when you have to go into your pedes enclosure your pede will be able to climb out. If it's your first pede you might panic.

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

The problem you're going to be faced with is that when you have to go into your pedes enclosure your pede will be able to climb out. If it's your first pede you might panic.

ah, you saw right through my mind! Yes, I would admittedly freak out if my Centipede started scrambling away. I will definately either have to buy a taller/deeper enclosure or maybe a smaller species-probably S. Polymorphia or one of those African Longtails, or maybe just avoid 'pedes all together, since I haven't owned a pet in about 4 years, and the only thing i'm used to is slow-moving hermit crabs and bamboo shrimps lmao

 

[basin79]

@Godzillaalienfan1979 watch this video from 1.05 and you'll see what I mean.

 

[NYAN]

Alright. Thanks! While we're at it, are tall plastic plants ok? Are the usual snake clamps (used for holding down the lid so a strong animal doesn't rip it free) ok, or should I pile books on top instead?

And, lastly, is a Giant 'pede's mandibles strong enough to shred the usual thick wire-screen top like a Camel Spider's are?

I hear pedes can use their maxilipeds to pry the mesh apart, not necessarily chew it.

 

[NYAN]

ah, you saw right through my mind! Yes, I would admittedly freak out if my Centipede started scrambling away. I will definately either have to buy a taller/deeper enclosure or maybe a smaller species-probably S. Polymorphia or one of those African Longtails, or maybe just avoid 'pedes all together, since I haven't owned a pet in about 4 years, and the only thing i'm used to is slow-moving hermit crabs and bamboo shrimps lmao

I would start with a polymorpha, owning a pede isn’t rocket science. While they may be intimidating, all you need is a container with some substrate, at least one piece of rock, wood, or something they can hide under, a water dish and the most important thing is that they can’t escape. Just get a plastic tub which is taller than the pede is in length and you’re good to go.

 

[basin79]

Never been a fan of rocks for cover. I know pedes are strong but if it dug out the sub underneath the rock could crush/hold it in place. Cork bark is fantastic.

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

@Godzillaalienfan1979 watch this video from 1.05 and you'll see what I mean.

Geez! I didn't think they could run up smooth surfaces. That's awesome and horrifying! Thanks for the video!

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

@Godzillaalienfan1979 watch this video from 1.05 and you'll see what I mean.

ya, that is a good reason to buy a setup that's longer. Their legs are wicked sharp!

 

[basin79]

Geez! I didn't think they could run up smooth surfaces. That's awesome and horrifying! Thanks for the video!

That's what I'm trying to get across. You'll only have around 6" of space. A pede will just run up.

I know that tub isn't deep enough but I already know she can get out so I'm already prepared. Plus I don't panic. I 100% don't want to scare you. Centipedes are incredible. But they are extremely fast and will try to escape.

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

That's what I'm trying to get across. You'll only have around 6" of space. A pede will just run up.

I know that tub isn't deep enough but I already know she can get out so I'm already prepared. Plus I don't panic. I 100% don't want to scare you. Centipedes are incredible. But they are extremely fast and will try to escape.

Yes, I agree. They are incredible animals, but yeah very fast. I'm thinking of getting a higher/deeper tank.

I'm looking at one that is around 2'. Is 2' enough clearance of the ground?

 

[basin79]

Yes, I agree. They are incredible animals, but yeah very fast. I'm thinking of getting a higher/deeper tank.

I'm looking at one that is around 2'. Is 2' enough clearance of the ground?

It depends. If it's a glass aquarium a pede will climb up the silicone in the corners. You're better off getting a large plastic tub with a tight fitting lid. That way there's no corners to climb. They don't look as "pretty" and you can't see through them as well but in my opinion they're the best enclosures for housing centipedes.

 

[Godzillaalienfan1979]

It depends. If it's a glass aquarium a pede will climb up the silicone in the corners. You're better off getting a large plastic tub with a tight fitting lid. That way there's no corners to climb. They don't look as "pretty" and you can't see through them as well but in my opinion they're the best enclosures for housing centipedes.

man, Centipedes just don't know when to quit! Yeah, plastic tub sounds better.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

Get the tallest plastic tub with good floor space you can find and you'll be good, preferably one with stiff plastic that locks.

I've got my E. rubripes in a plastic tub but the distance from the substrate to lid is way too short and it doesn't lock so I have no doubt that if it tried to push up the lid it could. Until I can get an escape-proof enclosure I keep the whole tub in a locked closet so even if the pede did get out its not running off into my room

 

[Greasylake]

When I first got my centipede I opened the container just enough so that it'd be able to get it out then set it in the enclosure and let it come out on its own. A few minutes later I went back and new pede had burrowed and I was able to take out the container it had come in with my tongs. As for the locks, I've never needed them but the container I used for an enclosure latches by the handles and from what I've seen my centipede tested the height of the enclosure once then never climbed my pieces of cork bark again. I have a 7 inch subspinipes and it really does not seem inclined to climb.

 

[LawnShrimp]

@Godzillaalienfan1979 watch this video from 1.05 and you'll see what I mean.

My sp. Mint Leg does 10x that! It shoots up out of the dirt and scrabbles away loud enough to hear it in the next room. It's so fast it can sound like raindrops. :wideyed:
Not to scare @Godzillaalienfan1979 away from 'pedes, though; mine is just a psycho. Most centipedes will panic and try to escape when first put into the enclosure, but calm down after a while and rarely try to escape once settled.

man, Centipedes just don't know when to quit! Yeah, plastic tub sounds better.

Yes, a plastic tub is cheap and easy to use. The lack of a screen lid keeps humidity in (bad for desert 'pedes, good for tropical ones) but you can drill holes if need be. Plus, buying a new tub is much cheaper than buying a big glass tank. Glass is also heavy and can get very cold to the touch, which 'pedes will dislike.

The hide you described - 4" tall - is too tall for most centipedes to fit comforably under. They like to have their backs touching the "roof" and their bellies on the substrate, so a flat piece of cork bark or fake rock would be a better fit for a centipede. The fake plants and climbing rock are not essential but you can include them for decorative purposes. A centipede would appreciate a clump of dead moss and a bark hide the same as fake plants. If the plants are tall enough they might also be used to escape. (Centipedes cannot climb smooth glass or plastic but will utilize cracks in the tank, silicone glue, decorations, and tongs left in the tank as footholds to escape.)

If you get a dehaani, the plastic tub only needs a handful of holes. This keeps a lot of moisture in which is necessary for jungle species.
For polymorpha you will need many more airholes, or cut out sections of the lid and glue screen over the resulting holes.
R. longipes like humidity too but I will warn you that you will rarely see a captive R. longipes. One of mine was holed up for months at a time.
Another species you might like is Scolopendra longipes (Keys alternans), which likes a jungle setup and definitely will get to 6+ inches. It is a Florida native that does not have as bad a bite as dehaani but is worse than polymorpha.