Asian Centipede Care Guide

Many Asian centipedes are good sized, active, and colorful animals. For most centipedes from Asia, the basic care is very simple and similar. They are usually hardy and low maintenance when their enclosure is set up correctly.

The most important part of centipede keeping is the enclosure. Centipedes are extremely good escape artists, so the lid must be completely secure. Many common bins and enclosures have small gaps around the lid that may allow a centipede to escape. Ventilation holes should also be small, because centipedes may squeeze through them or chew the holes larger over time.

For most Asian centipedes, very high ventilation is not necessary. A lot of general centipede care information overemphasizes ventilation, but this does not apply to every species. Native temperate species and some dry-habitat centipedes may need more airflow, but most tropical Asian centipedes do well in a humid enclosure with deep substrate.

At Frognose Exotics, we usually keep Asian centipedes on a deep layer of peat moss mixed with sphagnum moss. We also add sphagnum moss on top of the substrate to help maintain humidity. The substrate should stay slightly moist, but not soaking wet. Clean substrate and stable humidity are important for preventing problems such as mold and mycosis. Temperature should be kept around 22°-25°C / 71.6°F to 77°F.

Asian centipedes and all centipedes should be offered a varied diet to stay healthy. Feeding only one type of prey for a long time may eventually cause issues. At Frognose Exotics, we commonly feed Asian centipedes crickets, lobster roaches, dubia roaches, and red runner roaches.

Most centipedes can be fed about once a week. Prey should usually be around one-fifth the size of the centipede. Avoid overfeeding, because it can sometimes lead to digestive issues, especially if the temperature or humidity is too low.

Molting in centipedes is usually not as sensitive as it is in some other invertebrates. Many centipedes can molt successfully even with minor disturbance. However, disturbance should still be kept to a minimum when a centipede shows signs of premolt, such as a swollen-looking body or reduced appetite.

Overall, many Asian centipedes are some of the most low-maintenance but impressive invertebrates to keep. They are very fun to observe, especially when they are exploring, burrowing, or hunting.

Handling is not recommended for any centipede. It can be dangerous for both the keeper and the animal. Centipedes are fast, defensive, and venomous, and a fall or bad reaction during handling can seriously injure the centipede.