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local Thursday 16 OcTOber 2025

Fun facts about the ‘Lisinbein’

The ‘Lisinbein’ (Scolopen- Its presence can indicate ronmental changes makes survival.
dra gigantea), also known a healthy, functioning eco- it a bioindicator of ecologi- It can reach an impressive
as the Giant Centipede, system. Its sensitivity to envi- cal balance. length of up to 30 centi- This form of parental care is
is one of the largest centi- meters (approx. 12 inches) beneficial in increasing the
pedes in the world and is and live for around 5 to 10 survival rates of offspring,
found in Aruba. Its size and years in the wild. Its size and as the mother’s protection
hunting prowess make it a longevity makes it a signifi- provides a safe ‘environ-
fascinating, if often misun- cant and long-term part of ment’ during their vulnera-
derstood, creature. the ecosystem. ble developmental stages.
It’s a fascinating adapta-
Despite its fearsome repu- A mother’s love tion because it shows a
tation, it plays a crucial In Scolopendra species, form of care that resembles
ecological role that often the ‘mother’ typically ex- more complex behaviors
goes unnoticed: hibits maternal care by observed in vertebrates.
curling around her eggs
As an apex invertebrate and newly hatched young. No bark, all bite!
predator, Scolopendra She stays coiled around The lisinbein is known local-
gigantea helps maintain the clutch, protecting it ly for having a really painful
balance in the ecosystem. from predators and fungi, sting. While venomous, the
Moreover, they themselves which are serious risks in the Lisinbein is generally not
are a food source for birds moist environments these aggressive toward humans
such as the Crested Cara- centipedes often inhabit. unless provoked. Its role as
cara (Warawara) and the The mother maintains a a guardian of balance in
Aruba burrowing owl (Sho- clean environment for the the ecosystem helps pro-
co). eggs by carefully grooming tect the natural beauty of
them, which helps prevent Aruba by keeping the eco-
It controls populations of fungal growth that could system in harmony.
smaller invertebrates and endanger the brood. This
even small vertebrates, en- behavior may continue Editor’s note: Information
suring that no species over- until the young centipedes and pictures provided by
populates, which could dis- have undergone their first Ms. Natasha Silva from
rupt local biodiversity. molt, making them more the Aruba Conservation
capable of independent Foundation.q