Attention: Like all centipedes, Scolopendra morsitans is a poisonous species and we do not recommend handling it since its bites are very painful and sometimes require medical assistance. They are beautiful animals, but only to be watched, not handled!
Keeping most centipedes is fairly easy, and first you’ll need an escape-proof enclosure – they can fit through even small gaps and gnaw through soft plastic walls. Glass or acrylic glass enclosures are recommended.
As mentioned, this species requires between 23 and 27 °C, so it will need heating; it can be provided by a heating bulb, heating mat or any other source; the main rule is not to place it under the enclosure, since centipedes are burrowing animals. So if it’s too hot for them, they’ll try to dig deeper; this is natural behavior based on instincts, but in captivity it will play a bad joke on them.
It is recommended to keep one of the corners of the enclosure relatively humid to provide the centipede with a humidity gradient. As a substrate, a mixture of topsoil and sand can be used, and sphagnum moss can be used to maintain adequate humidity. The depth of the coat is usually the length of the animal. A dish with water should also be provided.
Scolopendra morsitans are very aggressive predators and thanks to a very powerful venom they can attack even larger prey. In captivity they can be fed crickets, lobsters, roaches, mealworms and morio, and sometimes even thawed mice. It is very important to remove all uneaten food and its remains from the enclosure to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
Always use tongs that are long enough when feeding or moving animals to another enclosure!
