Scolopendra subspinipes

, formerly a subspecies of S. subspinipes.'' The species is normally considered to have a maximum length of 20 cm. It has color variations: its body is usually red or reddish brown with yellow or yellow-orange legs. In common with other members of genus Scolopendra, it has 22 body segments, with each segment having one pair of legs. A pair of modified legs known as forcipules or toxicognaths can be found on its head, which is covered by a flat shield and bears a pair of antennae. The toxicognaths are the major tools used by the centipede to kill its prey or for defense, as they have sharp claws that connect to venom glands. ==Diet and behavior==

Scolopendra subspinipes is an aggressive and nervous arthropod, ready to strike if interfered with and sensitive to vibrations nearby. Reproduction The male produces capsules containing mature sperm cells, spermatophores, which are deposited in a reservoir called the spermatheca of the female during mating. The female then fertilizes her immature eggs, oocytes, and deposits them in a dark, protected area. The female lays 50 to 80 eggs, which she vigilantly protects until they hatch and the baby centipedes molt once. If danger is detected, she wraps around her young to keep them safe. The young centipedes molt once each year, and take 3–4 years to attain full adult size. Adults molt once every year. They may live for 10 years or more. ==Venom==

S. subspinipes venom normally causes extreme pain, among other symptoms. A fatal case was reported in the Philippines in which the centipede bit a 7-year-old girl on her head. She died 29 hours later. ==Human uses==

S. subspinipes is a popular pet among arthropod hobbyists. ==Subspecies==

The number of subspecies of S. subspinipes was historically unclear and varied between authors. Taxonomic characterizations incorporated plastic traits such as color and sulcus structure and the number and position of spines, producing indistinguishable and intergrading subspecies. A 2012 review found that some subspecies were in fact distinct species: S. subspinipes dehaani, S. subspinipes japonica, and S. subspinipes cingulatoides (renamed Scolopendra dawydoffi to avoid confusion with "Scolopendra cingulatoides", a junior synonym of Scolopendra cingulata). A list of current and former subspecies can be found below. Former subspecies now considered separate species are denoted with an asterisk (*). Subspecies now considered synonyms of S. subspinipes are denoted by a double asterisk (**). • S. s. cingulatoides* • S. s. dehaani* • S. s. fulgurans** • S. s. gastroforeata • S. s. japonica* • S. s. mutilans* • S. s. piceoflava** • S. s. subspinipes (synonym of S. s. gastroforeata) • S. s. multidens* (raised to species level by Chao & Chang in 2003) File:Scolopendra Subspinipes Mama.jpeg|S. subspinipes with offspring File:Scolopendra subspinipes japonica.jpg|S. mutilans, a former subspecies File:Vietnamese Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) (7783188102).jpg|Unidentified Scolopendra sp., possibly S. subspinipes File:Scolopendra subspinipes subspinipes (6713940689).jpg|S. dehaani, a former subspecies File:Chinese Red-headed Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) (5936077174).jpg|S. dehaani File:Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans 2.jpg|S. mutilans, a former subspecies File:Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans DSC 1429.jpg|S. mutilans == See also ==