Lithobius forficatus

[rknralf]

This thread builds on the "Communilaliy" thread posted earlier.
What I am wondering is can Lithobius forficatus (Stone Centipdedes) live together? I've got 5 that I collected from a woodpile I was tearing apart, and have been keeping them seperate for a couple months now. All are doing fine and are taking small (.25 inch) crickets. I usually feed twice a week, with 2 or 3 at a time.
Anyway, since they were all caught in the same place, I was wondering if I can set up a small aquarium (2.5 gallon) and keep them together.
Also, if I can keep them together, can they climb the silicon seals in the corners of the aquarium? I don't want to lose any if I do keep them in a tank.
Thanks!
Ralph

 

[Mister Internet]

ralf,

When I was a kid, I'd catch and keep nearly 50 of these critters every summer and keep them in a 10-gal aquarium... I kept them very well fed (I would catch and kill "June Bugs" and throw them in there by the dozens) so I don't believe they cannibalized. They are very good at getting up the silicone, though...however, simply pulling the silicone off for the last three inches before the lid should be fine...

 

[Alonso99]

how big do those get, 3 inches max?

 

[Mister Internet]

Quite frankly, I've never seen one bigger than 2"... and it may not have even been quite that long. More common are adults in the 1.25"-1.75" range...