Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)

1. BY KevinPoitas ACP Biology Period B Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)

2. Taxonomic Classification • Kingdom- Animalia • Phylum- Arthopoda • Subphylum- Myriapoda • Class- Chilopoda • Order- Scolopendromorpha • Family- Scolopendridae • Genius- Scolopendra • Species- S. Gigantea

3. Location • The Amazonian Giant Centipede inhabits the North and West regions of South America and the islands of Trinidad and Jamaica.

4. Niche The Amazonian Giant Centipede lives in a damp, humid environment and can be found in soil, leave litter, or rotten wood.

5. Habitat • The main habitat of the Amazonian Centipede is in the tropical rainforests of South America. It is a perfect environment because the humidity levels are perfectly suit for the centipede’s breathing.

6. Diet and Predators • Giant centipedes are vicious carnivores that feed on small invertebrates that include crickets, worms, snails, and roaches. They are also known to prey on larger creatures such as lizards, toads, tarantulas, mice, snakes, and bats. They do not have many predators, but their main threats are humans and various species of predatory birds.

7. Reproduction and Growth • The difference in sexes is very difficult to detect. The male spins a silk pad that it deposits its sperm on. Then the female picks up the sperm and lays her eggs. The female does show parental care by guarding the eggs and licking them to prevent fungal infections. Once the eggs even hatch the female has been observed guarding the young until they grow large enough to leave the nest. A centipede takes three years to reach full length, which can exceed twelve inches. They molt several times gaining more legs each time. http://www.suite101.com/content/giant-centipedes-a25875

8. Appearance • TheGiant Amazonian Centipede have flat bodies that are divided into well marked segments. Each body segment has a pair of legs, which means there is an odd body of leg pairs either 21 or 23. The rear legs of the centipede are spiked in order to ward off predators. Their legs in their first body segment are modified into venom bearing fangs called maxillipeds. They also have mandibles that end in a sharp claw in which the poison gland opens. The mandibles are used for killing and seizing prey. Centipedes are blind and use long, several jointed antennas. Centipedes also breath through openings called spiracles that are located under the centipede’s armor shell.

10. Behavior • Amazonian Giant Centipedes are nocturnal predators that are very aggressive when threatened. They have been known to care for their young which is very unusual in arthropods. They also tend to stay in damp areas under rocks or rubbish because of they way they breath.

11. Potency • The giant Amazonian centipede has toxic venom that contains acetylocholine, histamine, and serotonin. Following a bite from the centipede a sharp pain is felt along with, fever, chills, weakening, severe swelling, and sometimes death. http://keuze.in/3M/do-house-centipedes-bite&page=5