Socializing Centipedes

Staehilomyces

Arachnoprince
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Mar 2, 2016
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Mostly out of convenience. I wouldn't recommend it for other keepers, but I don't mind coming into contact with my pedes, so shallow containers aren't much of an issue. Nevertheless, I did rehouse Azog into a deeper enclosure than the one in my old video above, though that was more to do with the fact that the clips on the old enclosure unlocked too loudly, startling the invert inside and making feeding almost impossible.

As for feeding pedes fruit, I do that as well, though not nearly as often as he does. I think he said in one of his videos that he feeds them fruit twice a week. I don't feed them that often period, fruit or anything else.
I don't see a problem with jars, though I think they're rather inconvenient. They don't stack well, and their small openings make it hard to reach around inside the enclosure, especially with tongs.
 

Smokehound714

Arachnoking
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Mar 23, 2013
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3,091
"Socialized" is simply the term used to describe a centipede that no longer perceives its owner as a threat, and can thus be freehandled with minimal issue. I honestly doubt that the centipedes recognise the owner as a food source - all mine get tong fed, and I've had success socialising every pede I've worked with except adult E. rubripes.
Seems more like they're stressed out from frequent handling IMO.
 

Staehilomyces

Arachnoprince
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Mar 2, 2016
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Really? They don't seem to mind it, if it's done properly. Mine eat and drink just fine, even straight after being handled, and often settle to groom or rest on my hands. Very unlike how most inverts behave when handled.
 

NYAN

Arachnoking
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Dec 23, 2017
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Seems more like they're stressed out from frequent handling IMO.
I will almost always handle my Pedes only if they are out and not buried. The only way I could see them becoming stressed is if they are dug up constantly.
 

Staehilomyces

Arachnoprince
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Mar 2, 2016
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Yeah. The green rubripes shows no signs of stress whatsoever. It's drank directly out of my hands on a few occasions, and when I return it to the enclosure, it makes no attempts to seek cover whatsoever. I'm also working with a couple even younger rubripes and an adult morsitans, and have made considerable progress with them as well. The morsitans in particular no longer seeks shelter once handling is finished, though it's still a tad jumpy.
 

Ratmosphere

Arachnoking
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Aug 23, 2015
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2,294
With jumpier centipedes I start petting the centipede with a folded paper towel attached to feeding tongs. I rub the centipede on the back with it for 20-30 minutes a day for as long as it takes for the centipede to calm down. It's important to try and not touch the terminals during this.

Next step would be to feed the centipede well. In the beginning stages you are going to need to make sure the pede has food in its mouth. Dip the "handling hand" in substrate, you can rub it off after you do it. After this, slowly move in and put your fingers next to the centipedes antennae. If the centipede is calm at this point you can rub its head. From here you can start touching different parts of its body. Make sure to stay away from terminals.

If you stay consistent with the process the centipede should let you pick it up. From here you can let it crawl through your hand as you grab it. It is important to stay calm and confident with this process. If you are shaky or nervous things could go wrong.

Below are some videos that belong to me, I hope they help.





 
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