text: Scolopendra gigantea, commonly identified to as ‘Peruvian giant yellowleg centipede’ or ‘Amazonian giant centipede’, is the world's largest representative of scolopendras which can reach lengths of up to 26 cm. The species inhabits the North and West regions of South America and the islands of Trinidad and Jamaica. It feeds on lizards, frogs and birds. The body consists of 21-23 segments which is ‘coppery red’ or maroon in color and comprises of up to 23 pairs of yellow-tinted legs (with one pair per body segment); the legs are adapted for fast walking (even running) and for holding tight the prey before poisoning and killing it.\n\nThe centipede has modified claws which curve around its head and can deliver venom into its prey to help the immobilization of it. The venom is toxic to humans (the poison contains acetylocholine, histamine, and serotonin) and causes a local sharp pain (similar to a hornet-sting), and severe swelling, chills, fever (up to 39º), weakness.\n\nS. gigantea is a popular pet among arthropod fanatics – however the centipede should not be handled without protective equipment given that even a trace of the venom coming in contact with skin can cause a reaction. The condition of having been poisoned by the venom of a centipede in the genus Scolopendra is called scolopendrism.\n\nFemale S. gigantea centipedes exhibit parental care, guarding and tending their nests of eggs. Juveniles are very dark red or black in color, and very thin with large spherical red heads. They molt several times before reaching adult size.\n\nRetrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scolopendra_gigantea"