| Chinese red-headed centipede | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Scolopendromorpha |
| Family: | Scolopendridae |
| Genus: | Scolopendra |
| Species: | S. subspinipes |
| Trinomial name | |
| Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch, 1878 |
|
The Chinese red-headed centipede, also known as the Chinese red head, (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) is a centipede from East Asia and Australasia. [1] It averages 20 cm (8 inches) in length and lives in an aquatic environment.
In ancient Chinese traditions, this centipede is used for its healing properties. It is said that putting a Chinese red head on a rash or other skin-disease will speed up the healing process.
Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans is known for harbouring little aggression to other centipedes, a trait very rare amongst giant centipedes and allows it to be kept communally.
Females are incubatoral mothers, guarding the eggs by wrapping their body around the clutch until it hatches.