What the sources say
Amazonian Giant CentipedeScolopendra gigantea
Every figure, record and mechanism on the Amazonian Giant Centipede profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 48 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.
Profile updated
Source
01
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
Scolopendra gigantea. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.
- The page saysVenomous
- The source says
venom-bearing fangs called maxillipeds
- The page saysHumid tropical and subtropical forests of northern South America
- The source says
inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in northern South America
Note: stats.habitat - The page saysHumid tropical and subtropical forests of northern South America
- The source says
centipedes are limited to living in humid environments
- The page saysInsects, worms, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, mice and bats
- The source says
feed on small invertebrates such as crickets, worms, snails and roaches, and can also eat lizards, toads and mice
Note: stats.diet - The page saysVenom-bearing fangs modified from the legs on its first body segment.
- The source says
The legs on the first body segment are modified into venom-bearing fangs called maxillipeds
Note: stats.superpower - The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says it can grow to 12 inches long
- The source says
this species can grow to be 12 inches long
- The page saysEvery body segment carries one pair of legs, and the number of pairs is always odd, from 21 to 23.
- The source says
Each body segment has a pair of legs, which means that there is always an odd number of leg pairs ranging from 21 to 23
- The page saysThe legs on the first body segment are modified into venom-bearing fangs called maxillipeds, which the centipede uses to hunt.
- The source says
The legs on the first body segment are modified into venom-bearing fangs called maxillipeds that centipedes use to hunt their food
- The page saysIts rear legs are spiny to ward off potential predators.
- The source says
Their rear legs are spiny in order to ward off potential predators
- The page saysIts menu runs from crickets, worms, snails and roaches to lizards, toads and mice.
- The source says
feed on small invertebrates such as crickets, worms, snails and roaches, and can also eat lizards, toads and mice
- The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says the venom is strong enough to seriously wound a human.
- The source says
is strong enough to seriously wound a human
- The page saysCentipedes have no waxy covering on their cuticle, the outer skin, so they are limited to humid places, where they can usually be found in soil, leaf litter or rotten wood.
- The source says
Since they have no waxy covering on their cuticle, centipedes are limited to living in humid environments, and can usually be found in soil, leaf litter, or rotten wood
Note: outer skin is a gloss of cuticle; so = since - The page saysThey breathe through openings called spiracles, and Animal Diversity Web says those openings let centipedes lose a lot of water quickly.
- The source says
Centipedes breath through openings called spiracles ... Because of these openings, centipedes can lose a lot of water quickly
- The page saystropical and subtropical forests
- The source says
inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in northern South America
- The page saysAnimal Diversity Web's account, last updated in 2001, gives a normal lifespan of about ten years.
- The source says
A normal lifespan for S. gigantea is about ten years
Note: ADW page last updated 2001 - The page sayslast updated in 2001
- The source says
Last updated: 2001-03-03
- The page saysThe female broods her eggs until the hatchlings can get their own food.
- The source says
the female of the species broods them until the hatchlings can get their own food
- The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says the species can grow to 12 inches long, about 30 centimeters.
- The source says
this species can grow to be 12 inches long
Note: 30 cm from 12 in - The page saysdangerLevel: High
- The source says
The poison emitted by the bite of Scolopendra gigantea is strong enough to seriously wound a human.
- The page saystags: rainforest
- The source says
Scolopendra gigantea inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in northern South America.
- The page saysIts venom fangs are modified legs on its first body segment
- The source says
The legs on the first body segment are modified into venom-bearing fangs called maxillipeds
Note: vibe.reason
Source
02
Van Buurt & Dilrosun 2017
Van Buurt & Dilrosun (2017). Predation by an Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) on a Baker’s Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira bakeri). Reptiles & Amphibians.
- The page saysits big ones are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
- The source says
large individuals are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
Note: tagline; big ones = large individuals - The page saysup to 30 cm long
- The source says
can reach lengths to 30 cm
Note: tagline venomous - The page saysInsects, worms, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, mice and bats
- The source says
large individuals are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
- The page saysInsects, worms, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, mice and bats
- The source says
including frogs, lizards, snakes, birds
Note: stats.diet; bats and mice from other entries (source says 'known to') - The page saysBats can fly away from trouble, yet a 2017 report says large Amazonian giant centipedes (Scolopendra gigantea) are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats.
- The source says
Copyright © 2017. Gerard van Buurt ... large individuals are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
Note: bats can fly: common knowledge - The page saysthe 2017 report, citing a 2000 diagnostic account of the species, says it can reach lengths to 30 centimeters
- The source says
Copyright © 2017. Gerard van Buurt ... can reach lengths to 30 cm (Shelley and Kiser 2000) ... Shelley, R.M. and S.B. Kiser. 2000. Neotype designation and a diagnostic account for the centipede, Scolopendra gigantea
- The page saysOn Aruba on 2 January 2017, Dr. H. Dilrosun watched a giant centipede about 18 cm long attack a Baker's cat-eyed snake.
- The source says
O n Aruba on 2 January 2017, Dr. H. Dilrosun observed an Amazonian Giant Centipede ... about 18 cm in length, attack a Baker’s Cat-eyed Snake
Note: PDF drop cap prints 'O n' - The page saysThe snake died about half an hour after it was first seen, and the centipede then began to eat it.
- The source says
The snake died about half an hour after initially observed, after which the centipede began to eat it
- The page saysFrogs, snakes and birds are on record too.
- The source says
including frogs, lizards, snakes, birds
- The page saysThe species lives in tropical and subtropical forests across northern South America and some continental islands, including Aruba.
- The source says
These centipedes, which occur through - out northern South America and some continental islands
Note: Aruba from the same note's observation; forests from ADW claim above - The page saysLarge ones are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats, according to a 2017 note in Reptiles & Amphibians.
- The source says
Copyright © 2017. Gerard van Buurt ... large individuals are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
- The page saysThe same note describes one on Aruba killing and eating a snake.
- The source says
attack a Baker’s Cat-eyed Snake ( Leptodeira bakeri ) ... The snake died about half an hour after initially observed, after which the centipede began to eat it
- The page saysbig ones are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
- The source says
large individuals are known to climb cave ceilings and catch bats
Note: vibe.reason
Source
03
Rodriguez-Acosta et al. 2000
Rodriguez-Acosta et al. (2000). Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea Linneaus 1758) envenomation in a newborn. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo.
- The page saysnoted that accidents with Scolopendra are not rare in adults, but severe envenomings with death are exceptional
- The source says
Accidents are not rare in adults but severe envenomings with death are exceptional
Note: genus Scolopendra, adults - The page saysDoctors in Venezuela who reported a bite to a 28-day-old baby
- The source says
On January 1999 , a 28-day-old newborn girl (3,700-g weight) was seen at Capaya rural health centre (Miranda state, Venezuela), suffer a scolopendra bite
- The page saysThe baby was given hydrocortisone and was feeding normally again after three days.
- The source says
She was treated with hydrocortisone endovenous and oral acetaminofen ... After 3 days, she fed normally
- The page saysWriting up a 28-day-old girl's bite in 2000, physicians in Venezuela said Scolopendra bites in adults frequently bring intense pain and swelling, but severe envenomings with death are exceptional.
- The source says
Accidents are not rare in adults but severe envenomings with death are exceptional
Note: genus Scolopendra (scolopendrism), adults; year, physicians, girl and symptoms in the claims below - The page saysThe girl was treated in hospital and fed normally again after three days.
- The source says
She was treated with hydrocortisone endovenous and oral acetaminofen ... After 3 days, she fed normally ... When arriving the patient to the Hospital
- The page saysDoctors in Venezuela
- The source says
Physicians from Capaya Health Center, Miranda state, Venezuela
- The page saysVery rarely.
- The source says
severe envenomings with death are exceptional
Note: faq 3 opener - The page saysWriting up a 28-day-old girl's bite in 2000
- The source says
Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo 42 (6): 341-342, November-December, 2000 ... (2) Physicians from Capaya Health Center, Miranda state, Venezuela ... a 28-day-old newborn girl
- The page saysScolopendra bites in adults frequently bring intense pain and swelling
- The source says
Envenomation by any species of the genus Scolopendra (scolopendrism) produces defined sort of signs and symptoms in adults
- The page saysScolopendra bites in adults frequently bring intense pain and swelling
- The source says
Oedema, erythema, intense pain
Note: oedema = swelling; 'are frequently found' follows after a footnote number
Source
04
The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago, University of the West Indies
Scolopendra gigantea (Giant Centipede). The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago, University of the West Indies.
- The page saysNot Evaluated
- The source says
The IUCN Red List has not categorized Scolopendra gigan tea
Note: stats.conservationStatus; GBIF and Crossref checked, no assessment - The page saysA University of the West Indies guide says centipedes have very poor eyesight and rely on their antennae to find prey.
- The source says
Centipedes have very poor eyesight and hence, rely on their sensory antennae to detect prey
- The page saysFor centipedes in general, a University of the West Indies guide says most live about one to three years, while others may live up to five to six.
- The source says
Most centipedes have a lifespan of about 1-3 years, while others may have up to 5-6 years
Note: genus/order-wide statement in the guide, citing ADW 2004 - The page saystags: nocturnal
- The source says
They are nocturnal and remain in low-light and moist areas where there is an abundance of food.
How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.