Cormocephalus rubriceps

Chilopoda
Scolopendridae

This is the really scary centipede of the far north. In length it can reach 15 centimetres and has a great ability to twist and turn around any object, so much so that it can twist and bite a finger with its very powerful jaws. It lives on soft bodied insects and their larvae, but tropical relatives will readily eat small mice or baby rats, and no doubt small bird chicks. It is one of the species that is shared with Australia.



Text updated: 23/06/2006