Rhysida Centipede

Rhysida longipes

CentipedebeginnerVenom: Mild

Venom note

Mild — localized pain comparable to a bee sting. Small body size keeps envenomation volume low.

About

Rhysida — small, fast, and forgiving. Often the first centipede recommended for a keeper crossing over from tarantulas. Pantropical distribution; imports come from many regions and color variation is wide. Setup is simple — damp substrate, a hide, a shallow water dish. Cannibalistic, so no communal. Sting is mild but every centipede gets tongs, not hands.

Taxonomy

FamilyScolopendridae

GenusRhysida

Native regionPantropical (Africa, Asia, Caribbean, introduced widely)

TypeFossorial

Temperamentdefensive, fast

Size & growth

Adult size3-4 inches

Length70.00–110.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature72–82 °F

Humidity70–85%

Enclosure

Juvenile size4x4x4"

Adult size8x6x5" with 3" substrate

SubstrateCoco fiber + leaf litter, damp

Substrate depth3-4 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeCrickets, roach nymphs

Juvenile cadenceTwice per week

Adult cadenceOnce per week

Times kept: 1