Order Scolopendromorpha Rank Subspecies | Higher classification Scolopendra subspinipes | |
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Scientific name Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans Similar Centipedes, Scolopendra subspinipes, Scolopendra, Scolopendridae, Scolopendra heros | ||
Chinese red headed centipede cricket feeding
The Chinese red-headed centipede, also known as the Chinese red head, (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) is a centipede from East Asia and Australasia. It averages 20 cm (8 inches) in length and lives in damp environments.
Contents
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.
The roasted dry centipede is pulverized and used in Korea for the treatment of back pain, furuncles and sores.
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.
Chinese red headed centipede
Venom
The venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede contains a small peptide toxin called RhTx, which increases activation of the TRPV1 ion channel, causing a localized burning pain. The crude venom is said to be toxic in mice and to induce platelet aggregation.
