Description
Scolopendra sp. ‘Buton Black’ — Buton Black Centipede
From the island of Buton off the southeastern coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia comes one of the most compelling color-progression centipedes in the hobby. Scolopendra sp. ‘Buton Black’ starts life as a rich, warm dark chocolate brown — deep, smooth, and already striking as a juvenile. With each molt, the body darkens further, transitioning through deep espresso tones until reaching a true, glossy black at adulthood. Throughout every stage, the head remains a vivid cherry red — a bold, consistent accent that pops against the darkening body and makes every instar worth watching.
Raising a Buton Black from juvenile to adult is like watching a photograph develop in slow motion. Every molt is an event.
Why Collectors Love This Species
Chocolate-to-black color progression — juveniles display a rich dark chocolate brown that deepens with each molt, eventually transitioning to a true glossy black at adulthood; one of the most rewarding color progressions in the centipede hobby
Cherry red head — a vivid, consistent cherry-red head that contrasts sharply against the darkening body at every life stage; the defining feature of this species
Island endemic — native to Buton Island, a geographically distinct locality off southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia; a rare and collectible provenance
Every instar is worth keeping — unlike species where juveniles are drab, the Buton Black is stunning at every stage of development
Impressive adult size — a large, robust Scolopendra with commanding enclosure presence at maturity
Extreme rarity — seldom available in the US hobby; a genuine trophy specimen
Care Overview
Origin: Old World — Buton Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Enclosure: Secure terrestrial setup with escape-proof lid; deep substrate (5–7″) with cork bark or flat rock hides
Temperature: 76–86°F
Humidity: Moderate to high — 70–80%; keep one side of substrate slightly moist
Diet: Appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and other prey; aggressive and enthusiastic feeder at all life stages
Venom: ⚠️ Like all large Old World Scolopendra, this species possesses medically significant venom. Bites are extremely painful and can cause intense localized pain, severe swelling, and systemic symptoms. Never handle — use long tongs for all maintenance without exception.
Experience Level: Advanced — for experienced invertebrate keepers only
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Every specimen ships with our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the unlikely event of a DOA, photo and video documentation of the unopened or just-opened package is required to process a claim. Contact us immediately upon receipt.
