#myriapods
Theatopsposticus is a small, eyeless scolopendromorph centipede whose last pair of legs are modified into earwig-like pincers it uses to grasp prey.
this specimen was unusually calm when I picked it up so I tried feeding it a dead roach and it accepted the offering
(Florida, 2/11/22)
Sound On Please
Image description: A reply by @jaybybyby reading: “I’m pretty sure this lil guy isn’t being harmed or anything of course, but is it a super dangerous kind of centipede?” End image description.
You’re right, this ‘pede is being contained appropriately - though it is stressed out of its mind and I really would prefer that they stopped filming it and just went on and released it.
I can’t identify the exact species, but I can say for certain that it’s not dangerous to humans. The only confirmed centipede death was by a Scolopendra gigantea who defended itself against a 4 year old child who tried to ingest it. But even a Scolopendra gigantea could not significantly harm an adult human (barring potential allergic reactions). Centipede venom causes heart palpitations, swelling, nausea, and intense pain, but it definitely doesn’t kill something as large as an adult. And the case of the 4-year-old baffled toxicologists, considering infantshave survived centipede envenomation.
Like most other venomous animals, they only use venom as a last resort. I really can’t stress how much venomous animals don’t want to use their venom on humans. They need their venom to take down prey. They need their venom to survive. They prefer to give dry bites or warning bites and only envenomate predators (or perceived predators) when they think they’re in mortal danger.
Unfortunately, centipedes are very nervous, so they can perceive something as simple as being handled as mortal danger. I don’t want to downplay the risks associated with centipedes, but I have to stress that they aren’t killing machines. They’re just small animals.
- Poppy
