Description
Scolopendra subspinipes piceoflava — Piceoflava Centipede | “Piece of Lava”
The name piceoflava translates roughly to “pitch-black and golden” — and this centipede lives up to every syllable. Scolopendra subspinipes piceoflava, affectionately nicknamed the “Piece of Lava” centipede in the hobby, is a visually explosive subspecies of the giant Vietnamese centipede complex. Bold black banding alternates with rich, warm gold across the body segments. The legs are a clean, bright golden-yellow. And anchoring the whole look is a deep, dark red head that ties the color palette together like something pulled straight from a volcano.
The nickname writes itself — and once you see one, you’ll never forget it.
Why Collectors Love This Species
- Gold and black banding — bold, high-contrast alternating bands of rich gold and deep black across the full body length; one of the most graphically striking color patterns in the centipede hobby
- Golden legs — bright, warm golden-yellow legs that pop against the dark banding and complement the overall lava-like color palette
- Dark red head — a deep, dark crimson-red head that anchors the tri-color look and gives the animal a distinctly menacing, volcanic appearance
- The “Piece of Lava” — the hobby nickname is earned; this centipede genuinely looks like a living piece of molten rock
- Named subspecies — a formally recognized subspecies of Scolopendra subspinipes; a taxonomically distinct and collectible specimen
- Impressive size — a large, robust giant centipede with substantial enclosure presence
Care Overview
- Origin: Old World — Southeast Asia; part of the Scolopendra subspinipes complex
- Enclosure: Secure terrestrial setup with escape-proof lid; deep substrate (4–6") with cork bark or flat rock hides
- Temperature: 76–86°F
- Humidity: Moderate to high — 70–80%; keep one side of substrate slightly moist
- Diet: Large crickets, roaches, and other appropriately sized prey; aggressive and enthusiastic feeder
- Venom: ⚠️ Like all large Old World Scolopendra, this species possesses medically significant venom. Bites are extremely painful and can cause intense localized pain, severe swelling, and systemic symptoms. Never handle — use long tongs for all maintenance without exception.
- Experience Level: Advanced — for experienced invertebrate keepers only
Live Arrival Guarantee
Every specimen ships with our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the unlikely event of a DOA, photo and video documentation of the unopened or just-opened package is required to process a claim. Contact us immediately upon receipt.
