Image: graftedno1 via Flickr |
Image: Ted C. MacRae, Beetles in the Bush |
Image: snakecollector via Flickr |
Right behind the head is their first body segment from which extend a pair of legs modified into venomous claws for tackling prey or dealing with buffoonery from optimistic predators.
Image: Ted C. MacRae, Beetles in the Bush |
Far more important are those frenetic antennae.
A centipede on the hunt is a darkly cheerful thing. Antennae wave up and down, the head sways left and right, 40 legs creep, 40 legs crawl, and each has a discernible swagger... until they mercilessly clamp down on their prey and the centipede bends double to administer the lethal injection.
Even lizards and small mammals are not safe from this incorrigible villain. I wonder if this is particularly true of females fattening up before laying her eggs?
Image: A. Jaszlics via Flickr I love it when their antennae get all curly like that! |
She'll stick around when they hatch.
The youngsters have all their legs from the beginning, unlike the House Centipede for example, but they have no colour yet. I doubt mum licks them anymore, though... so embarrassing.
The little ones will soon toughen up and get some colour in their cheeks. It'll take them a while before they gain the stature to really widen the eyes. For now, they're just little devils.
14 comments:
I had the shudders reading this one.
Anything but centipedes, man.
Whoops, sorry! I always wondered why phobia and dislike of centipedes was so much less common than that of spiders. I should think that centipedes would fit the role really well. Then I decided it's purely because we spiders so much more often.
these look a bit fierce - probably not really good neighbors. i guess i'll stick with my scorpions.
They look pretty angry, indeed. I reckon they'd beat your scorpions in a fight so your choice is probably a good one!
The curled antenna reminds me of a cartoon villain's handlebar mustache!
You're right! Very suitable, too.
I thought they looked pretty on pictures but the video is creepy crawly scary! Spiders are angels compared to these!
I know what you mean. They're extremely fast and jittery. I can't shake the feeling that they're utterly untrustworthy!
So extreemly cool! I just saw my first one out hiking today. What a beautiful and unique creature!
Ooo! Lucky you! I must be so great to bump into something so incredibly vibrant when you're enjoying the outdoors!
I need to buy one.....where do i call about one
Contact me to buy 150usd free shipping mylifelongparty@gmail.com
Also tarantula and scorpion available
So what sizes are available
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