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.
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
- ^ a b c 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.
