Page 30 - Gateways_Spring2022_Neat

Unique Animals Continued

Hainan Giant Centipede THE SWAMP

Scolopendra hainanum

Arrival: April 2021, a confiscation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Native habitat: Hainan Island, China, and South China; tropical and subtropical forests

Facts: At up to 9 inches long, these are among the largest centipedes in the world. They are also known
as the Chinese giant tiger leg centipede because their orange legs have dark stripes. Their body is made up
of a head and 22 segments; each segment has one pair of legs. The head has a pair of forcipules, or modified
legs, which the centipede uses to inject venom into its prey, mostly small insects. Researchers are studying
this centipede’s venom—which has been known to kill humans—because they believe it may have medicinal
value in the treatment of human diseases.

One of

the World’s

Largest

Centipedes

Invertebrates on exhibit at THE SWAMP The jumbo
are routinely rotated. Either the Hainan giant
centipede or the Western Hercules beetle jet of
will be on exhibit at any one time.
Flying

Insects

30 GATEWAYS | UNIQUE ANIMALS