Scolopendra polymorpha Care

[sloth]

Hi everyone! So about 2-3 weeks ago I had bought a Scolopendra polymorpha and I want to know their care. Before I got him I researched especially here on AB and I saw that people said to keep them on the drier side for a Pede. But the guy who sold him to me said to keep it slightly moist, let it dry out on top, and then moisten it again. I have been doing what he has told me for the last 2-3 weeks and I am worried that I am doing something wrong. He has been eating no problem.

Also what about feeding? He said to feed it 4 small crickets a week. But I was reading that over feeding shortens their lifespan I started to worry that I am over feeding. He is 4-5” long and I feel like small crickets are just to small for him. So a few days ago I fed him a medium and he took it down no problem. So question is how often would I feed him a large or medium cricket?

Thanks to all the great answers in advance! I really appreciate it

 

[NYAN]

Keep this species on the dry side with a full water dish. There can be some moisture under the substrate or beneath a hide though. They will get mycosis if they are kept too moist, especially on coco fiber. Feeding it 4 crickets a week, even with them being small is too often. You can give it a large or medium one every 1-2 weeks just fine.

 

[sloth]

Keep this species on the dry side with a full water dish. There can be some moisture under the substrate or beneath a hide though. They will get mycosis if they are kept too moist, especially on coco fiber. Feeding it 4 crickets a week, even with them being small is too often. You can give it a large or medium one every 1-2 weeks just fine.

How do I keep moisture under the substrate? Just mist the top and let it sink?

 

[NYAN]

How do I keep moisture under the substrate? Just mist the top and let it sink?

Don’t mist. Misting only moistens the top layer; if you wish to add moisture then pour water into the substrate. I imagine that you’ve been keeping it moist already, so let it dry out and the lower layers will remain somewhat moist.

 

[sloth]

Don’t mist. Misting only moistens the top layer; if you wish to add moisture then pour water into the substrate. I imagine that you’ve been keeping it moist already, so let it dry out and the lower layers will remain somewhat moist.

So just pour water with a syringe right? Also would a milk cap be fine as a water dish?

 

[sloth]

Don’t mist. Misting only moistens the top layer; if you wish to add moisture then pour water into the substrate. I imagine that you’ve been keeping it moist already, so let it dry out and the lower layers will remain somewhat moist.

Wouldn’t pouring water also keep the top moist?

 

[NYAN]

So just pour water with a syringe right? Also would a milk cap be fine as a water dish?

Whatever you use to pour doesn’t matter. However, like I said, keep this species mostly dry.

Wouldn’t pouring water also keep the top moist?

Yes it would, but it will also allow moisture to reach the bottom better.

 

[sloth]

Whatever you use to pour doesn’t matter. However, like I said, keep this species mostly dry.




Yes it would, but it will also allow moisture to reach the bottom better.

How much do I pour? How do I know if I poured too much? Do I pour water on the sides of the enclosure, half, or the whole thing?

 

[NYAN]

How much do I pour? How do I know if I poured too much? Do I pour water on the sides of the enclosure, half, or the whole thing?

The amount you pour depends on how moist you want the enclosure to be. You won’t need to add much moisture for this species.

 

[sloth]

@NYAN Sorry if I’m bugging you I just want to make sure I do everything right because it is my first centipede. Out of curiosity how many inches of substrate do you put?

 

[AZCeptipede]

How much do I pour? How do I know if I poured too much? Do I pour water on the sides of the enclosure, half, or the whole thing?

How big is the enclosure? I rarely moisten my polys enclosure but typically I'll pour or spray into one corner until that corner is moist but leave the rest untouched. Desert pedes get most of their moisture from their prey.

 

[NYAN]

@NYAN Sorry if I’m bugging you I just want to make sure I do everything right because it is my first centipede. Out of curiosity how many inches of substrate do you put?

Don’t feel sorry, however the methods of how to water the substrate are a bit excessive Haha.

2-3 inches is around the minimum which I would give. Some indisvsials will burrow and others will prefer to stay on the surface or hide directly under objects. When I look under debris and find this species they are on the surface a lot of the time.

 

[sloth]

How big is the enclosure? I rarely moisten my polys enclosure but typically I'll pour or spray into one corner until that corner is moist but leave the rest untouched. Desert pedes get most of their moisture from their prey.

I have him in those 1 gallon mainstays jar with a screw on lid from Walmart. Dimensions are 5 inch long by 5 1/2 inch wide by 10 inch tall. He’s only around 4 inches long.

 

[sloth]

The amount you pour depends on how moist you want the enclosure to be. You won’t need to add much moisture for this species.

Do you keep part of the bottom moist at all times or is it just a weekly thing? Biweekly?

 

[sloth]

How big is the enclosure? I rarely moisten my polys enclosure but typically I'll pour or spray into one corner until that corner is moist but leave the rest untouched. Desert pedes get most of their moisture from their prey.

How often do you moisten yours?

 

[vyadha]

I’m new to centipedesbut i have 6 WC polymorpha that I’m keeping in my classroom. I live in their natural area and all i do is keep the water dishes(bottle caps) near the corner of their enclosure and overfill it so the dish spills into the surrounding substrate. So the pede has a moister area if it chooses to use that spot.
Pics of your specimen would be great

 

[sloth]

I’m new to centipedesbut i have 6 WC polymorpha that I’m keeping in my classroom. I live in their natural area and all i do is keep the water dishes(bottle caps) near the corner of their enclosure and overfill it so the dish spills into the surrounding substrate. So the pede has a moister area if it chooses to use that spot.
Pics of your specimen would be great

Here’s a picture of him from when I got him. I haven’t had any pictures since because he stays burrowed a lot of the time. He’s made some cool tunnels too

 

[AZCeptipede]

How often do you moisten yours?

"As needed" basically, if you use coconut fiber you'll be able to tell visually how moist it is. Like others have said a little water dish (bottle cap) and overfilling it a bit is a good technique, that way you can make sure not to overwater while making sure the water is available. Also centipedes drinking are really cute so that's another plus.

 

[sloth]

@AZCeptipede Thank you so much for your tips

 

[sloth]

@NYAN What substrate do you use?
@AZCeptipede What substrate do you use?