Scolopendra subspinipes

Scolopendra mutilans, formerly a subspecies of S. subspinipes.

Scolopendra japonica, another former subspecies that has since been elevated to species status.

The species is normally considered to have a maximum length of 20 cm.[3] However, in 2018 a far larger specimen was recovered in Hawaii by Clayton Cambra, who captured what appeared to be a Scolopendra subspinipes that measured an astonishing 36.6 cm in length.[5]

It has color variations: its body is usually red or reddish brown with yellow or yellow-orange legs. In common with other members of genus Scolopendra, it has 22 body segments, with each segment having one pair of legs. A pair of modified legs known as forcipules or toxicognaths can be found on its head, which is covered by a flat shield and bears a pair of antennae. The toxicognaths are the major tools used by the centipede to kill its prey or for defense, as they have sharp claws that connect to venom glands.[6]

Scolopendra subspinipes is an aggressive and nervous arthropod, ready to strike if interfered with and sensitive to vibrations nearby.[3][4] It preys primarily on arachnids, including spiders, scorpions, and vinegaroons. It is large enough to overpower small vertebrates, such as mice or small reptiles, and will readily attempt to consume them. It tends to try to eat almost every living animal it encounters that is not longer than itself.[4] It seizes prey with its anterior legs and then uses its toxicognaths to inject venom. The prey is held by the centipede's other legs until it is subdued. When defending itself or attacking prey, the centipede uses its entire body, coiling around the animal and holding on with its legs, from which position it can use its toxicognaths to deliver venom.[7]

S. subspinipes venom normally causes extreme pain, among other symptoms. A fatal case was reported in the Philippines in which the centipede bit a 7-year-old girl on her head. She died 29 hours later.[4]

S. subspinipes is a popular pet among arthropod hobbyists.[4] The centipede was a traditional food source for Aboriginal Australians.[8]

The number of subspecies of S. subspinipes was historically unclear and varied between authors. Taxonomic characterizations incorporated plastic traits such as color and sulcus structure and the number and position of spines, producing indistinguishable and intergrading subspecies. A 2012 review found that some subspecies were in fact distinct species: S. subspinipes dehaani, S. subspinipes japonica, and S. subspinipes cingulatoides (renamed Scolopendra dawydoffi to avoid confusion with "Scolopendra cingulatoides", a junior synonym of Scolopendra cingulata).[2]

A list of current and former subspecies can be found below.
Former subspecies now considered separate species are denoted with an asterisk (*).
Subspecies now considered synonyms of S. subspinipes are denoted by a double asterisk (**).

• S. s. cingulatoides*
• S. s. dehaani*
• S. s. fulgurans**
• S. s. gastroforeata
• S. s. japonica*
• S. s. mutilans*
• S. s. piceoflava**
• S. s. subspinipes (synonym of S. s. gastroforeata)
• S. s. multidens* (raised to species level by Chao & Chang in 2003)

• 
  S. subspinipes with offspring
• 
  S. mutilans, a former subspecies
• 
  Unidentified Scolopendra sp., possibly S. subspinipes
• 
  S. dehaani, a former subspecies
• 
  S. dehaani
• 
  S. mutilans, a former subspecies
• 
  S. mutilans

• Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra mutilans)
• Japanese giant centipede (Scolopendra japonica)