Giant Desert Centipede
Scolopendra heros

Body length: up to 8"
Diet: Insects, lizards, and small rodents

Centipedes are distant relatives of lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp. They prefer moist areas, such as under stones, logs, or leaves. These fast-moving predators are more prone to drying out than many other species, so they are only active at night. Even though the name means "hundred legs", the centipede doesn't really have that many; this one has about 40.

Centipede mothers take care of their eggs, probably to protect them from mold and bacteria. Once the young hatch, she will care for them for several more days. Some centipedes have been known to live for up to 6 years.

Can you tell which end is the head? Neither can a predator, so while they try to figure it out, the centipede may be able to get away, or deliver a nasty bite. Centipede bites are painful, but not particularly dangerous to humans.

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