Australian Tiger- Ethmosstigmus rubripes

Safety First

Centipedes are ready biters, they are venomous and can cause pain. If you are allergic to bee’s or are unsure if you are, you will require urgent medical attention and a trip to the emergency room (further serious reactions may occur, as with a Bee sting.) We recommend not handling your centipede. They can easily be caught and transported using long steel tweezers (just pick them up gently). Having said this word of warning, a pet centipede has its kicks! It’s all part of the thrill of keeping a dangerous animal.

Housing

We recommend mesh top terrariums. Generally speaking an adult centipede is comfortable in a 30x30x30cm Terrarium. Smaller centipedes will be comfortable in a 20x20x20cm. Mesh Top terrariums allow ventilation while still holding humidity. Our terrariums also have lockable lids (which is always a good idea). Centipedes can climb the silicone corners, so standard glass aquariums tend not to be the best option. A small 5 watt heat mat is ideal, either in one corner covering no more than 1/3 the floor space (or mounted to the side of smaller terrariums), this will allow one corner of the environment to be slightly higher than room temperature.

Moulting and the importance of Substrate

Your Centipedes will appreciate a mix of Terrarium sand and Peat Moss/ CocoFibre/ Critter Crumble/leaflitter. A depth of around 10cm is ideal. This is a great nesting material and holds moisture very well. This substrate also creates an ideal humidity for Moulting. Your centipede will refuse food when preparing to moult. Once the centipede has moulted, withhold food for a few days to allow the exoskeleton to harden. It is also a good idea to have Driftwood, Leaf Litter and Hides/ornaments available to make your centipede feel secure.

Feeding Time!

Your centipede is an opportunistic hunter, they can take large prey items and go extended periods without a meal. They will usually only feed once every 5-7 days. Crickets and Wood roaches are ideal feeder insects. Your centipede will swell after a recent meal, this is normal. Always feed with Tweezers (not your fingers) or drop the insect in for your centipede to hunt. If your centipede refuses the meal, take out the insect after 12 hours. A small shallow water dish should always be available, try to use distilled water, Reverse Osmosis, or dechlorinated tap water. Mist the environment and glass lightly once a week.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Maintenance and cleaning is very minimal, wipe down the glass with wet paper towel (on tweezers) when necessary. Also remove moult, waste, or dead insects when necessary. You can usually completely replace the substrate every 3 months.

If you have any further questions, please free to call or see us in store!
02) 9905 1414
Hi-Tek Aquariums Brookvale
732 Pittwater Rd