Scolopendra alternans | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
Class: | Chilopoda |
Order: | Scolopendromorpha |
Family: | Scolopendridae |
Genus: | Scolopendra |
Species: | S. alternans
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Binomial name | |
Scolopendra alternans | |
Synonyms[1][2] | |
Synonyms
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Scolopendra alternans, commonly known as the Haitian giant centipede,[3] Caribbean giant centipede,[4] and Florida Keys centipede,[b][5] is a species of large centipede in the subfamily Scolopendrinae.[5][2][6] The species was involved in widespread news coverage after an incident in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, in which a specimen of the extremely rare rim rock crown snake (Tantilla oolitica) died of asphyxiation while trying to eat a Scolopendra alternans, which also died.[7][8][9]
Scolopendra alternans is a large species of centipede, and can grow up to 17–19 cm in length.[10][1] Their colouration is generally brownish or reddish, but it varies greatly depending on location.[10][1] Some American forms are yellow to orange in colour.[10] Morphological features also vary depending on location.[1]
Scolopendra alternans is found in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Venezuela the Bahamas, Hispaniola, the Antilles, the British Virgin Islands, and Florida.[3][1][11][2] They have also been reported as far north as Georgia.[12][5][4]