Centipedes in United States
Centipedes are found in a variety of North American environments, from harsh deserts to moist, deciduous forests. Centipedes in the United States are some of the largest of their kind.
The sizeable Scolopendra hero, also known as the North American centipede and the Sonoran Desert centipede, can be found in arid wastelands. These centipedes are found within the United States and Northern Mexico, where they thrive under rocks and logs. There are three distinct subspecies of these centipedes in United States. The body of the Arizona centipede, or Scolopendra hero arizonensis, is tan in color with bright orange antennae and a black head and tail. The blue-tailed centipede is yellow in color, with blue or purple coloring at the end of the tail. The Scolopendra hero castaneiceps, or redheaded centipede, is tan or brown in color, with yellow legs and a bright red head.
The Scolopocryptops sexspinosa, Scolopocryptops peregrinator, Scolopocryptops rubiginosa and Scolopocryptops gracilisis are found under rocks and logs in gardens and woods across the United States. The stone centipede, or Lithobius forficatus, is commonly found beneath rocks.
The house centipede, or Scutigera coleoptrata, can be found indoors. The house centipede differs drastically in appearance from other species, in that its body is rounded and its legs are long and thin.
Centipedes Dangerous to Humans
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