CLOSED: Catepillar in the train station in Hiroshima

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George Valinda, CA(Zone 10a) Aug 25, 2004

This fellow is about 4-inches long. Any one know what he is?

Post #1017497

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TomH3787 Raleigh, NC(Zone 7b) Aug 25, 2004

It's not a caterpillar, it's a centipede.

Post #1017498

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) Aug 25, 2004

At 4", it would appear to be one of the Giant Centipedes.

Normally pretty shy, some of them can have a nasty bite on par with a tarantula, if they get mad.

Post #1017814

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Aug 25, 2004

Here is an Australian centipede, the Orange-footed Centipede Cormocephalus aurantipes which I photographed in Morwell National Park, near here. This one is not as big, only growing to about 2.5 inches. I don't know whether this one has a nasty bite or not. I have seen quite a lot of them and have never been troubled by them.

Post #1017834

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imway2dumb Gordonville, TX(Zone 7b) Aug 25, 2004

Pretty cool creepy crawlie, though.

Post #1017849

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salvia_lover Modi'in, Israel Aug 25, 2004

Ooooo I've got you all beat. LOL Here in Israel we've got this long pure black centipede that I've seen sometimes more than 5 inches long. They are often seen around my kids' preschool, so when school starts, I'll see if I can get a photo.

-Julie

Post #1017912

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) Aug 25, 2004

Kennedyh...

Thanks for the photo, it's a much better match for George's centipede than any of the South American centipedes I turned up.

From what I know, all centipedes are predators and to a greater or lesser extent venomous. It's probably best to leave the big ones to their own business!