Top 10 Largest Centipedes in the world (Biggest Centipede 2023)

Centipedes continue to be seen as fear-evoking creatures among humans. These creepy crawling creatures, with their long legs and antennas coupled with their vibrant body coloration, are an essential aspect of study for biologists. 

Centipedes have been used since time memorial in traditional medicines and even in modern treatments where their venom is used in cancer drug development. Centipedes come in various sizes and colors, which raises a standard question, Which are the largest centipedes in the world?

Among the five centipede families, the Scolopendridae family houses the largest centipedes. In today’s article, we are going to present before you a vivid list of the Top 10 Largest Centipedes in the world.

10) Mediterranean banded centipede

 

Mediterranean-banded-centipede

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra cingulata

Location- Mediterranean region

With an average length of 10-15 cm (4-6 in), the Mediterranean banded centipede is one of the smallest species in the Scolopendridae family.

However, it is pretty significant in comparison to centipedes from another family. Their body has a golden yellow hue, segmented by dark stripes. It is a carnivorous species and will feed on any animal whose size is smaller than itself, like invertebrates, lizards, etc.


9) Tanzanian blue ring leg

Scolopendra-mortisans

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra mortisans

Location- Worldwide distribution, found in almost all continents (except Antarctica)

Next up in our list of Largest Centipedes on the planet we have the Red-headed centipede. These species grow up to a length of 12-13 cm (5.6 in) and can be easily recognized from their bright-colored head and striped segments. 

The body coloration may differ depending upon their location. The Tanzanian blur ring legs are carnivorous species and use neurotoxins to immobilize their prey.


8) Banded Desert Centipede

Banded Desert Centipede

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra polymorpha

Location- the Southwestern United States and Mexico

Better known as the common desert centipede, one can easily recognize them by their body coloration. 

They have brown-colored heads, yellow appendages, and yellowish-orange or light brown bodies, with segments marked by black lateral stripes, hence giving them the name “tiger centipede.”

These centipedes have an average body length of 12-18 cm (5-7 in); they are found in burrows or decaying pieces of logs.


7) Indian Tiger Centipede

Indian Tiger Centipede

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra Hardwicke

Location- Southern India

This species of centipedes is widespread for its bright contrasting coloration. The body is dark orange and is segmented by dark black bands and orange-colored appendages. 

They reach up to a length of 6.3 inches (16 cm) which is quite huge and possess venom that causes swelling and sleepiness.


6) Texas Readhead Centipede

Scolopendra-heros

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra heros

Location- the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico

Bearing an average body length of 6.5- 7 in (15-17 cm), it is one of the most enormous centipedes in the world. They possess a bright red-colored head, thereby getting the name “redhead.” 

However, the body coloration and has yellow-colored legs differ from place to place. Texas redheads are nocturnal predators, and they feed on smaller mammals, frogs, small size invertebrates, etc., and use venom to incapacitate their prey.


5) Scolopendra viridicornis

Scolopendra-viridicornis

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name– Scolopendra viridicornis

Location- Amazon Rainforests, especially in Brazil

With an alarming length of 6.5 – 7.5 in, this giant species of centipede is undoubtedly one of the largest centipedes on the planet. 

Their bodies are reddish-brown, with black lateral stripes and yellow legs. These centipedes are carnivorous and feed on small lizards, mice, and even bats.


4) Scolopendra cataracta

Scolopendra-cataracta

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name– Scolopendra cataracta

Location- Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

These centipedes are one of the largest centipedes on the planet, belonging to the family Scolopendridae. They grow up to gigantic sizes of 19- 22 cm (8 inches) in length, with long yellow color appendages. 

The cataracta species of centipedes are amphibious (the only known centipede to do so). They are equipped with a greenish-black colored hydrophobic body surface.


3) Haitian Giant Centipede

Haitian Giant Centipede

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra alterans

Location- Caribbean Islands like the Bahamas

The Haitian Giant centipede is one of the largest terrestrial predators in the Caribbean, with an alarming length of nearly 8 in. The body coloration is orange, segmented by black stripes and yellow legs.

They feed on invertebrates like spiders, small reptiles, amphibians, etc. They are venomous and have quite a painful bite, causing swelling around the bitten area.


2) Chinese redhead

Chinese redhead

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra subspinipes

Location- Eastern Asia

Known by various names like the Chinese redhead, jungle centipede, and Hawaiian centipede, these centipedes are one of the largest or probably the second-largest centipedes on the planet.

They grow up to a length of 20 cm (8 in), with one specimen measuring as long as 37 cm. Occurring in several colors due to their wide geographic distribution, the Chinese read-heads are quite aggressive predators. 

Owing to their large size, they feed on small reptiles, amphibians, mice, and almost any animal smaller than themselves.


1) Amazonian Giant Centipede

Amazonian Giant Centipede

Genus- Scolopendra

Scientific name- Scolopendra Gigantea

Location- South American and Caribbean rainforests

In the first position, we have the largest centipede on the planet, Scolopendra Gigantea. Popularly known as the Amazonian Giant Centipede or the Peruvian Giant yellow-leg centipede, these species grow up to an enormous length of 30 cm (12 in).

The body has a characteristic dark brown coloration. The legs are orange or yellowish colored and have alternating dark bands. Their diet consists of a wide variety of organisms, starting from small lizards and reptiles like snakes to frogs, tarantulas, and other invertebrates. They have often been spotted feeding on small birds and bats.

Here, we end our article on the Top 10 Largest Centipedes in the world. We will be bringing more informative articles. Until then, goodbye, and stay tuned.


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