Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here are the 2 types of large centipedes I find wild in Kansas.
Scolopendra polymorpha

Scolopendra heros

Just curious as to where in Kansas you are. I presume maybe the SW part of the state to find S. heros. This one gets really large and rather impressive. I've only found it in the drier regions and did not know just how far north it ranged.
The first time I encountered it was in Bosque County, Texas where I used to live. The climate was drier than Tarrant County and I saw a lot of dry-climate fauna such as brown tarantulas, common brown scorpions, false scorpions and the giant centipedes. A few years ago, visiting my Aunt's ranch near Altus, OK, I again saw the S. heros. I urged my aunt ot never kill them because such large land-dwelling arthropods were bound to be really unique and a part of her ranch's ecosystem.
You are the first person to verify they live in Kansas. I still enjoy watching them, although handling is out of the question. I know they have a nasty bite.

I have never found the heros in extreme southwest kansas, tho I have only been there once. I usually find them in south central to southeast kansas, and only about the 1/3 lower section of kansas. The polymorphas I have found as far north as kansas city.