# We caught an Amazonian Giant Centipede in our vacation house **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249 "2023-04-06T13:04:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/1 "2023-04-06T13:04:25Z")
We are currently on a two-week holiday on the island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten in the Caribbean. It’s a lovely destination: great beaches, good climate, excellent food, friendly people. Also some … interesting wildlife. Yesterday afternoon, we heard a blood curdling scream from our daughters’ shared bedroom. We went running; I was the first through the door. They were huddled on the bed, clutching each other in abject terror. Because, scuttling across the floor, there was an arthropod almost as long as the inside of my forearm. [![](https://content.eol.org/data/media/56/9a/14/509.16876743.jpg) ](https://content.eol.org/data/media/56/9a/14/509.16876743.jpg) I grabbed a book and swept the critter back toward the patio door, to prevent it from going under the bed. Then we threw a towel over it to keep it contained (while my daughters fled), opened the door, and threw the towel with the centipede out into the yard. It’s on record as the largest centipede species in the world. It can grow up to a foot in length (30 cm), and I have to say, it’s truly impressive to see an arthropod of this size. It feels weirdly prehistoric, in a way. Here’s someone else’s picture for reference; ours wasn’t quite this big, but it was close. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/4155/33439002334_8134d2cfc9_b.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/4155/33439002334_8134d2cfc9_b.jpg) What was very interesting (and disconcerting) was its behavior. It wasn’t scared of us. Normally when you mess with a bug, it tries to get away. But this one, when I swept it with the book, it curled up slightly where it stopped, turned back to face me, reared up its head, and bared its … whatever its bitey bits are called. After we threw it outside (and reassured our kids), I did a little more reading on the critter. Really fascinating, the ecological niche it fills. Here’s a good article: > **[Scolopendra gigantea: The Giant Centipede With a Painful, Venomous Bite](https://www.newsweek.com/scolopendra-gigantea-giant-centipede-painful-venomous-bite-1711287)** > > Centipede expert Greg Edgecombe told Newsweek there is "no question" a bite from the carnivorous arthropod would be painful to humans. One sample fact to whet your appetite: The centipede is a carnivorous hunter. It likes to go into caves, climb up and hang dangling from the ceiling by its back legs, and snatch bats out of the air. I will not be sharing this information with the girls until we have left the island and are safely back in Europe, where the scariest bug is the comparatively sedate giant hornet. But for my part, I feel quite pleased to have had an encounter with this unique multi-legged organism. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/2 "2023-04-06T13:17:46Z")
I admire your admiration, but that’s some nightmare fuel for me up there. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/3 "2023-04-06T13:20:51Z")
I am also not as evolved as you. I say FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK that. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/4 "2023-04-06T13:24:58Z")
If it were me, I’d be thinking of ways to smuggle my new pet home, despite this. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nWZMfPP34g8/maxresdefault.jpg "BITTEN by a GIANT DESERT CENTIPEDE!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWZMfPP34g8) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/5 "2023-04-06T13:26:39Z")
The island also has a species of huge spider. We’ve only seen one, and it was a shock. In the rainforest where [Pic Paradise](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_Paradis) is located there are green monkeys. We rarel see one, but it’s cool when we do. Where are you staying? We stay at Belair on the Dutch side. Spent a week at Atrium in Simpson Bay the year after Irma, while Belair was still rebuilding. I showed my gf the centipede picture. Apparently I’m an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/6 "2023-04-06T13:29:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Where are you staying? We’re in the Cul-de-Sac neighborhood on the French side. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/7 "2023-04-06T13:35:01Z")
Aaaaaccckkk ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/8 "2023-04-06T13:37:59Z")
Cool!!! Been there. We spend a day on Pinel every year. Checked out Grand Case yet? A town with restaurants lining their Main Street. My two favorites are a lolo called SKY’S THE LIMIT and a more fancy French restaurant called L’Auberge Gourmande. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/9 "2023-04-06T13:39:27Z")
I found [this big boy](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4b/a8/1a/4ba81a6f7ecf1830d2bf2d70a8a403d7.jpg) behind my refrigerator the other day. How big was your little fella again? JK 😃. Yours is quite a large ‘pede! 😱 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/10 "2023-04-06T13:45:01Z")
Well, ain’t that grand! My dream vacation! 🤢 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/11 "2023-04-06T13:47:01Z")
That’s super cool. I’m slightly jealous. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/12 "2023-04-06T13:47:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > a lolo called SKY’S THE LIMIT We had dinner at this very place on Tuesday night, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/13 "2023-04-06T13:51:45Z")
Ummm… no thank you! Especially after knowing it’s a carnivorous predator. Glad that you got to have the experience, though. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/14 "2023-04-06T14:02:51Z")
Oh, Sweet North America! I shall never leave thee! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/15 "2023-04-06T14:07:43Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > We had dinner at this very place on Tuesday night The owner is a riot. Her hair is a different crazy color each time we see her. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/16 "2023-04-06T14:11:36Z")
It’s the coconut crabs that give me the willies Did-a-chick? Dum-a-chum? Dad-a-cham? Ded-a-chek? [![](https://i.postimg.cc/wvN2KvnM/coconut-crab-1.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/wvN2KvnM/coconut-crab-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/17 "2023-04-06T14:19:49Z")
Wow! That’s really cool. I enjoy seeing these critters on the screen. I certainly wouldn’t want to touch one, though. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/18 "2023-04-06T14:21:47Z")
We encountered a giant centipede on a trail in Dominica. They can be quite intimidating. Our local guide told us the bite is very bad, especially if it bites you on the eyeball under a full moon. I’m not going to argue against that. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/19 "2023-04-06T14:22:23Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I certainly wouldn’t want to touch one, though. Oh, that’s another thing to mention. When I picked up the towel with the centipede inside, it was noticeably _heavy._ A bug big enough to feel its weight. That was sure different. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249/20 "2023-04-06T14:23:52Z")
> [@Newsweek](#): > > _ **This article has been updated to report that the Scolopendra galapagoensis has 21 pairs of legs.** _ Did it grow more legs after the article was first published? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-caught-an-amazonian-giant-centipede-in-our-vacation-house/982249.md?page=2)