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Tiger Centipede

Scolopendra polymorpha

Description:

From Wikipedia: Scolopendra polymorpha, the common desert centipede, tiger centipede, banded desert centipede, or Sonoran Desert centipede, is indigenous to the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, up to the Pacific coast. It inhabits dry grasslands, forest and desert; in these habitats the centipedes will generally take up residence under rocks, though they have been observed creating burrows in suitable environments and inside rotting logs. Its body generally reaches 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length. Coloration is variable, hence the species name "polymorpha" which means "many forms", and alternative common names like "multi-colored centipede". The body segments have one dark lateral stripe, and for this reason is also known as the tiger centipede or tiger-stripe centipede. Generally this species has a darker brown, red, or orange colored head and lighter brown, tan, or orange body segments with yellow legs. Its antennae have 7 or more smooth segments.

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Kiloueka
Spotted by
Kiloueka

Avalon, California, USA

Spotted on Jun 3, 2012
Submitted on Jul 11, 2012

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