Chinese red-headed centipede

Chinese red-headed centipede
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species: S. subspinipes
Trinomial name
Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans
L. Koch, 1878

The Chinese red-headed centipede, also known as the Chinese red head, (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) is a centipede from East Asia and Australasia. [1] It averages 20 cm (8 inches) in length and lives in damp environments.

In ancient Chinese traditions, this centipede is used for its healing properties. It is said that putting a Chinese red head on a rash or other skin-disease will speed up the healing process.

Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans is known for harbouring little aggression to other centipedes, a trait very rare amongst giant centipedes and allows it to be kept communally.

Females are incubatoral mothers, guarding the eggs by wrapping their body around the clutch until it hatches.

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External links

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