DEEP IN THE JUNGLE DOZENS OF LEGS SCUTTLE ACROSS THE GROUND A GLOSSY SHELL SHINES IN THE MOONLIGHT THE CREATURE SLITHERS OVER THE EARTH ANTENNAE WAVING THIS GIANT CENTIPEDE IS ON THE HUNT THE CENTIPEDE ENTERS A DARK CAVE IT CREEPS UP THE STONY WALL AND ONTO THE CAVE'S CEILING IT USES SEVERAL BACK LEGS TO GRIP TO THE CEILING ITS FRONT HALF DANGLES MIDAIR THE TRAP IS SET SEVERAL BATS SOON FLY TOWARD THE CAVE S EXIT ONE CRASHES INTO THE HANGING HUNTER THE CENTIPEDE INJECTS IT WITH VENOM THE BAT BECOMES A FEAST FOR THE WORLD S STRANGEST CENTIPEDE
CREATURE FEATURE NAME Giant centipede NICKNAMES Amazonian giant centipede Peruvian giant yellow leg centipede death crawler CLASS Chilopoda SIZE 10 to 12 inches 25 to 31 cm long COLORATION Dark red and black body orange or yellow legs LIFE SPAN About 10 years MONSTROUS CHARACTERISTICS Massive size Dozens of legs Venomous forcipules Large appetite
AMAZON RAIN FOREST n e w s SOUTH AMERICA Giant Centipede Range MAP KEY Range Within the Amazon rain forest although exact range unknown Diet Crickets worms lizards toads mice bats small snakes FUN FACT Giant centipedes typically grow up to 12 inches 31 cm long But an 18 inch 46 cm Specimen was found in Venezuela
