Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I was wondering if any one could tell me why my centipede smells so bad. And what I can do to stop it if it can be stopped.

Thanks, Joseph

I would suspect that the substrate for the centipede first. Maybe it has a lot of bacteria from dead pieces of insect prey carcasses. I'd change it out, if that is the case. The only other suspect would be a sick centipede. Is the centipede still: active? discolored (usually bacterial)? dehydrated? have any spots on it (usually caused by fungus)?....the list goes on.

Hi, thanks for replying, I think it's the centipede because I got the moss from a pet store, so I know it's not that. He hasn't been to active, just moving from one spot to another once in awhile. He doesn't have any spots, and has been with out water for two days. Can that make him dehydrated? If he is sick is there any thing I can do?

It is critical that the centipede is hydrated! I would highly suggest using peatmoss as the substrate (2-3 inches & moistening it so it is damp, but not soggy. You can do this by soaking peatmoss in a bucket of water & kneading (squeezing) the peat so that it absorbs the water. Use your hand to eventually squeeze the majority of water out & then put it into the pede's tank.

I had a Peruvian Giant-Scolopendra gigantea for over 11 yrs. The trick is to not over-feed the pede. I never fed pinkies, only insect prey. Read my previous postings on this forum. I sprayed the small tank lightly with drinking quality water onto the glass almost every day. Most centipedes dehydrate & die without adequate moisture in the environment (and too much moisture can cause major problems, too). Also, I recommend you provide something like cork bark or other pieces of non-toxic materials for it to hide under; thus, helping to eliminate stress.

If it is weak, don't leave crickets or other prey in the tank or the centipede can become the prey. Let it hydrate & re-gain some strength 1st. Note: you do not want the environment sopping wet. You need to remove any insect carcasses often (or you'll get mite, phorid fly problems). Feed insects that it can handle in its weaker state; you can kill some crickets/roaches & cut them open, so the pede can feed--until it gets healthier.

**Search the net for more info, check out arachnoboards.com, & or venom.org**

Goodluck & I hope it recovers. Be very careful when working with your pede to not get bitten as they do have some venom & it's reportedly very painful.

Hi, thank you very much, after your first post I gave him some water and now he is a lot more active. I did not know about cleaning ou the carcasses. I am going to do that soon.

Thanks again, Joseph