Had an uninvited guest this evening

[pbwalker]

I was hanging out in the garage this evening, catching up on the news and just relaxing. Out of the corner of my eye, I see some very large moving quickly. I look over and couldn't believe my eyes.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

I'm not a bug-phobe...I'm cool with Scorps...Tarantulas don't bother me. But this...no way!

I need that Barn Cat tomorrow!

[JeepGuy79]

what is that? I know its a centipede but what kind? That thing poisonous?

[SRH78]

Wow

[JeepGuy79]

maybe the common desert centipede

[The Annoyed Man]

I was hanging out in the garage this evening, catching up on the news and just relaxing. Out of the corner of my eye, I see some very large moving quickly. I look over and couldn't believe my eyes.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

I'm not a bug-phobe...I'm cool with Scorps...Tarantulas don't bother me. But this...no way!

I need that Barn Cat tomorrow!

That bug is defective. It's only got 40 legs. I'd get rid of it right away and get yourself a proper centipede or millipede if I were you.

[chuckybrown]

Here's your info:

http://www.dallaszooed.com/animalfacts/ ... 8&name=TUV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MoJoeWrkn]

Did you just get back from Skull Island?

[RPB]

First time I saw one of those I was about 5 years old. late 1950s or early 1960-ish
I've seen those in Burnet/Central TX hill country before running on their hind legs with front up in the air, haven't seen them in years though. We probably need some legislation to protect them... just because every creature should have a law named after it ...

http://www.dallaszooed.com/animalfacts/ ... 8&name=TUV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
poisonous qualities

Their diet is composed primarily of small arthropods, although some scolopendromorphs have been found feeding on toads, small snakes, and other vertebrates. Moths are a preferred diet for captive giant redheaded centipedes. The prey is captured and killed or stunned with the poison claws. Poison glands are located in the basal segments of the claws or fangs, sometimes called maxillipeds. Each gland drains its toxic contents through a small opening near the tip of the fang. In the mid 1920s, Dr. Baerg tested the effect of the venom by inducing a centipede to bite one of his little fingers, leaving the fangs inserted for about four seconds. The bite was followed by a sharp and strictly local pain, which began to subside noticeably after about 15 minutes. In about two hours the pain was only very slight, but there was a general swelling in the finger. Three hours after the bite, most symptoms had disappeared.

I wonder if they mean venomous qualities? Or maybe they mean don't eat them because they are poisonous .... so ... don't eat it, they apparently have a toxin which either needs to be regulated by the E.P.A. or contains a chemical thingy which will cure cancer if .....

[papajohn1964]

That looks similar to the species of centipede that hangs from cave roofs to catch bats. Keep your eyes peeled :)

Scolopendra heros, from what I can find.

Yep and I've heard that they also eat barn cats! I think your gonna need a bigger cat!

[WildBill]

There sure are come ugly creatures on this planet.

[RPB]

I've seen those in Burnet/Central TX hill country before running on their hind legs with front up in the air,

Now there's a creepy thought

Yeah, I've seen them do that a few times, the longer legged back half outruns the shorter legged front half ... it's like a centipede wheelie with the front up in the air and the two black back legs must be the wheelie bar.
It makes little kids jump on the bed.

Videos (can't find one doing a wheelie yet)
Texas Red Headed Centipede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcBhsNDN ... ure=fvwrel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7p8uQxa37s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZa_QAnaxB0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LikesShinyThings]

Try finding two of them (over a span of three years) in your HOUSE! Yikes!
Funny thing is, for some reason I'm less concerned about these things than scorpions. Maybe because I see about a dozen scorpions in the house in a year.
Still, I love the Hill Country and don't plan on leaving it unless job situation forces it.

[RottenApple]

It makes little kids jump on the bed.

One of those catching me by surprise would cause ME to jump on a bed. Followed shortly by a .45 caliber hole or two appearing in the floor.