Centipede is one such small insect that scares any human in the world to just go crazy. Being so much weird in terms of looks, the centipedes are venomous too. A great saying from a Tibetan poet who warns his fellow Buddhists, “if you enjoy frightening others, you will be reborn as a centipede”. Further, being nonvenomous too, they can just scare you with multiple small legs they possess. The evolution of the centipede dates to 430 million years ago. There are close to 8000 species in existence today, about 3000 of them are described. While many of them are not fatal to humans, there are some centipede species that can become fatal on children. This includes small children allergic to insect bites and bee stings.
So, what are the ten most dangerous centipedes in the world? Let’s check out.
10. Serpent Island Centipede (Scolopendra abnormis)
Serpent Island centipede is a dangerous centipede species endemic to the Islands of Mauritius. Additionally, they can be seen primarily on two outlying islands, Round Island, and Serpent Island.
Scientifically recognized as “Scolopendra abnormis”, an adult of its kind grows up to 3.7 inches in length. Further, the Serpent Island centipedes are found in abundance in the Mauritius Islands with densities of 12 adults per square meter.
It is an example of animals ruling certain places. They are basically not shy by nature and don’t possess any escape strategy when exposed.
Furthermore, their bite is very painful on humans and can cause swelling. They are nocturnal and hunt on small, medium-sized insects and carcasses.
9. Tiger Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha)
There you go, a centipede species which got its name from the name of another animal. Tiger centipede by the name has a tiger-like pattern on the body.
Scientifically referred to as “Scolopendra polymorpha”, the centipede species is indigenous to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
A fully grown tiger centipede can grow up to 18 centimeters in length. Tiger centipedes are known for strong bites and can cause intense pain if bitten. Additionally, they attack small and medium-sized insects as well as small rodents.
They can be primarily observed underneath the rocks and in burrows. Furthermore, tiger centipedes inhabit forests, dry grasslands, and deserts.
8. Tanzanian Blue Ringleg (Scolopendra morsitans)
Tanzanian blue ringleg is a similar centipede species as that Chinese red-headed centipede. Scientifically recognized as “Scolopendra morsitans”, the Megarian banded centipedes have exactly the same painful bite as that of the red-headed centipede.
Being almost similar in terms of looks between them, the toxin levels in it is not considered fatal. On average, an adult Tanzanian blue ringleg grows to a size between 15 and 20 centimeters.
They mainly reside in the islands of Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Finally, if you ever come across this centipede species, try to avoid them as much as possible.
7. Megarian Banded Centipede (Scolopendra cingulata)
Megarian banded centipede is yet another dangerous centipede found in the Mediterranean area. The centipede species can as well be seen throughout southern Europe and parts of North Africa.
An adult of its kind grows up to 15 centimeters in length. This small size makes them one of the smallest centipede species in the world. Scientifically referred to as “Scolopendra Cingulata”, the Megarian banded centipede is brighter in terms of looks. It consists of bright alternate bands of black and yellow.
This special appearance makes them incredible and scary at first sight. Further, Megarian banded centipedes are considered toxic but not accounted for fatal for humans. However, they are aggressive creatures and can fight any insect of their size.
6. Indian Tiger Centipede (Scolopendra hardwickei)
Indian tiger centipede is yet another terrifying centipede species commonly found in the south of the Indian peninsula. Additionally, the centipede species can be rarely found in the parts of the islands of Sumatra and Nikobar.
As the name suggests, the centipede has bright alternate patterns of orange and black stripes, with orange legs. Scientifically recognized as “Scolopendra hardwickei”, the Indian tiger centipedes can grow up to 16 centimeters in length.
Further, a single bite from them can be painful that can cause symptoms like drowsiness and swelling. So, the next time you ever come across this centipede, make a move to stay away from them.
5. Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra viridicornis)
Amazonian giant centipede is a lethal centipede species found in the Amazon rainforests. As the centipede is known to be locally found in the Brazilian forests, the centipede was named an “Amazonian giant centipede”.
Additionally, it is a descendant of the species “Scolopendra gigantea”. It is accounted as one of the most aggressive centipede species that can catch hold of any medium-sized insects on its way.
A single bite can be very painful and is known to last for days. Further, some components of the centipede’s toxin are used for medicinal use in northeast Brazil. Evidence has revealed that they can be used as a strong antimicrobial agent.
4. Waterfall Centipede (Scolopendra cataracta)
Waterfall centipede is a lethal centipede endemic to Southeast Asia. Additionally, the centipede species is also found in parts of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
It is an amphibious centipede and was first discovered near the Khao Sok National Park in 2000. An adult waterfall centipede grows up to 7.9 inches in length.
Further, the centipede is dangerous in terms of look as they have horrifying long legs. The waterfall centipedes have unique characteristics and are considered venomous by nature.
The actual venom effects on humans are unclear. However, they are aggressive enough to catch hold of small insects as their meal.
3. Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros)
Giant desert centipede is a lethal centipede species found in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Scientifically recognized as “Scolopendra heros”, the giant desert centipede is accounted as the largest centipede species in North America.
Additionally, it can grow up to a size of 6.5 inches in length or longer depending on the environment. The venom content in it is not surprisingly dangerous.
The venom has a composition the includes cardiotoxic proteins and enzymes that can cause severe pain if bitten. However, there has not been any vital or adverse effects on humans.
Furthermore, a bite on mice or small rodents can have intense pain in the local area for up to 5 hours. The toxin content in the giant desert centipedes is known to affect the nervous system that can cause symptoms like nausea, headache, or swelling in humans.
2. Peruvian Giant Yellow-leg Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)
Peruvian giant yellow-leg centipede is yet another deadly centipede species in the world. It grows up to 30 cm in length accounting for one of the largest centipede species in the world.
Additionally, the insect is found in various places in South America and the Caribbean. Scientifically recognized as “Scolopendra gigantea”, the Peruvian giant centipede is lethal in terms of venom content.
Every year, at least one human falls for this centipede species. Further, a four-year-old died after being bitten by the Peruvian giant centipede in 2014 in Venezuela. Peruvian giant centipedes are furious enough to take down small vertebrates like frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, and bats.
1. Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspines)
Chinese red-headed centipede is by far considered the most dangerous centipede in the world. Additionally, the centipede becomes one of the largest centipede species in the world.
Found throughout eastern Asia, the centipede is known to grow up to a length of 20 cm. Also recognized scientifically as “Scolopendra subspinipes”, the Chinese red-headed centipedes are found in the Indian Ocean. Further, they are as well found in the islands of Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, South, and Central America.
The centipede is dangerous enough to kill a human being. One such fatal incident occurred in the Philippines, wherein a seven-year-old was bitten on the head. The girl stumbled to death in 29 hours.
Chinese red-headed centipedes are aggressive by nature and challenge any animals that it can overpower. Furthermore, they are capable enough to get down small vertebrates like mice or small reptiles.