The Giant Desert Centipede is the largest centipede in North America, reaching over 8 inches, with vivid orange-red head and tail segments contrasting with a dark-banded body. It uses a pair of modified front legs (forcipules) to inject venom into prey, which can cause significant pain and local swelling in humans. It is a voracious nocturnal predator consuming large insects, lizards, and even small rodents.
Habitat
Deserts, rocky canyons, and semi-arid scrub of the Southwest
Diet
Adults: insects, spiders, lizards, and small rodents
How common
Uncommon
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