The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Roaches, crickets, other feeder insects; occasional pinky · 1 prey item every 5–10 days
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
70–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Scolopendromorpha
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Advanced (experts only)
Commonality
Very common in SEA trade; the default 'Thai giant'
Adult size
15–20 cm, occasionally larger
Lifespan
5–7 yrs (females longer)
Growth rate
Fast with regular feeding
Activity & niche
Nocturnal terrestrial burrower/predator
Temperament
Very defensive, fast, quick to strike
Venom / defense
Venomous, painful bite – experts only, no handling
Price (THB)
150–600 (local, common)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
70–85%
Min. enclosure
30x30x30 cm for adult, escape-proof tight lid
Substrate
10+ cm coco fibre/peat + sphagnum, kept moist not wet
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark hide, buried, shallow water dish
Diet
Staple food
Roaches, crickets, other feeder insects; occasional pinky
Feeding frequency
1 prey item every 5–10 days
Supplements
None needed; gut-load feeders
Behaviour and handling
Handling
None – experts only; fast, defensive, medically significant venom
Communal
No – solitary & cannibalistic, house individually
Defense / stress signs
Raised body, rapid flight, coiling, striking with forcipules
Reproduction
Reproduction
Maternal care – female coils around egg clutch (~15–60) until hatch
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, mould, bad molts if too dry; mite build-up
Red flags / quarantine
SignsLethargy, curled legs, refusal to feed; quarantine wild-caught for parasites
Good to know
- Formerly a subspecies of S. subspinipes; split off in a 2012 revision.
Others in this group
Giant African MillipedeArchispirostreptus gigasVietnamese / Asian Giant CentipedeScolopendra subspinipesVietnam Giant MillipedeVietnam Giant millipedeAmazonian Giant CentipedeScolopendra giganteaTanzanian Red-headed / Tiger CentipedeScolopendra morsitansBumblebee MillipedeAnadenobolus monilicornisVietnamese Rainbow MillipedeTonkinbolus dollfusiRusty / Scarlet Asian MillipedeTrigoniulus corallinus