Megarian Banded Centipede 

Scolopendra cingulata

The Megarian Banded Centipede  has about twenty body segments with each segment having a pair of legs. They are very agile creatures and able to move with surprising speed.  The centipede in the video was captured by my friend as it was climbing up an interior wall of her house. It was photographed and released unharmed into the countryside. I don’t know who was more scared, me or it. A large pair of claw-like  venomous maxillipedes are used to capture and paralyze insects, crickets, grasshoppers, small lizards and frogs.

The Megarian Banded Centipede can give a nasty bite.

 The bite from one of these creatures has been likened to a very bad wasp or bee sting and can cause painful swellings and in some cases anaphylactic shock requiring medical attention. You may need to use an antihistamine and applying an ice-pack may help

Megarian Banded Centipede

 The centipede is generally a nocturnal creature spending it’s days in dark places such as under a pile of stones, logs or cavities and holes in the ground and old buildings.  After seeing a few of these things now, I do have a tendency to check my bed before jumping in, and checking my boots and clothing before getting dressed.

View of Megarian Banded Centipede climbing

 This photo shows how the centipede can climb anything very easily. With about forty legs that end with very sharp looking feet they can cling onto anything with amazing tenacity.  When attacking, the centipede will lunge at it’s victim and wrap it’s body around the prey, whilst grabbing hold with as many of its feet as it can. The next meal is paralysed by the venomous bite and death is fairly quick.

The Megarian Banded Centipede has been described as aggressive and will defend it’s self vigorously against predators and inquisitive animals like pet cats and dogs. Parents should also warn children against playing with them.  Look but do not touch is pretty good advice.

 See also the  Killer Pine Processionary Caterpillars