Scolopendra heros
| Scolopendra heros | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Scolopendromorpha |
| Family: | Scolopendridae |
| Genus: | Scolopendra |
| Species: | S. heros |
| Binomial name | |
| Scolopendra heros Girard, 1853 | |
Scolopendra heros is a species of centipede found in North America. Common names include Texas Redheaded Centipede, Giant Redheaded Centipede, and Giant Desert Centipede.
Description
S. heros has an average length of 6.5 inches (170 mm), but can reach up to 8 in (200 mm).[1] Its trunk bears 21 or 23 pairs of legs.[2] It is aposematically colored, to warn off potential predators, and a number of color variants are known in the species.[1]
Distribution and ecology
S. heros is found in northern Mexico and the southern United States, from New Mexico and Arizona in the west, to Arkansas and Missouri in the east.[1] It remains underground on warm days, emerging in cloudy weather.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Jeffrey K. Barnes (June 21, 2002). "Giant redheaded centipede". Arthropod Museum Notes 13. University of Arkansas.
- ↑ Thomas Eisner, Maria Eisner & Melody Siegler (2005). "Scolopendra heros (the giant Sonoran centipede)". Secret weapons: defenses of insects, spiders, scorpions, and other many-legged creatures. Harvard University Press. pp. 29–32. ISBN 978-0-674-01882-2.
- ↑ J. G. E. Lewis (2005). "Physiology and ecology". The Biology of Centipedes. Cambridge University Press. pp. 375–406. ISBN 978-0-521-03411-1.
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