Description
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Scolopendra dehaani — Malaysian Cherry Red Centipede
Classic. Bold. Unmistakable. Scolopendra dehaani, the Malaysian Cherry Red Centipede, is one of the most iconic giant centipedes in the hobby — and one look tells you exactly why. A rich, warm cherry-red coloration runs the full length of the body, across the head, and all the way down every leg — a uniform, saturated cherry from tip to tail, interrupted only by thin black banding across the segments that adds graphic depth without breaking the color story. The result is a centipede that looks like it was dipped in lacquer. Monochromatic, bold, and completely commanding.
S. dehaani is also a serious animal — one of the larger species in the Scolopendra genus, with a powerful, heavy-bodied build that commands respect as much as admiration.
Why Collectors Love This Species
All-cherry coloration — rich, warm cherry-red runs the full body, head, and all legs; a uniform, saturated color story that is immediately striking and unlike most banded or multi-color centipedes
Thin black banding — fine black bands accent the segment borders, adding graphic detail and depth to the cherry body without breaking the monochromatic look
Looks dipped in lacquer — the consistency of the cherry coloration across every surface of the animal gives it a polished, almost artificial quality in person
Iconic species — Scolopendra dehaani is one of the most recognized and respected giant centipedes in the hobby; a cornerstone species for any serious centipede collection
Impressive size — a large, heavy-bodied giant with substantial enclosure presence; one of the bigger Scolopendra available
Malaysian locality — native to Malaysia and surrounding Southeast Asian regions; a well-established and highly desirable provenance
Care Overview
Origin: Old World — Malaysia and Southeast Asia
Enclosure: Large, secure terrestrial setup with escape-proof lid; deep substrate (5–8″) 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: Large crickets, roaches, and other substantial prey; a powerful, aggressive feeder
Venom: ⚠️ Scolopendra dehaani is one of the larger and more medically significant centipede species in the hobby. Bites are extremely painful and can cause intense localized pain, severe swelling, nausea, and systemic symptoms requiring medical attention. Never handle — use long tongs for all maintenance without exception.
Experience Level: Advanced — for experienced invertebrate keepers only
Live Arrival Guarantee
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.
