Blind Scolopendrid Centipede
Scientific name: Cryptops australis
Click to enlarge image
Blind Centipede, Cryptops australis
Image: Gonzalo Giribet/
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cryptops
- Species
- australis
- Family
- Cryptopidae
- Super Family
- Scolopendroidea
- Order
- Scolopendromorpha
- Subclass
- Pleurostigmophora
- Class
- Chilopoda
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 3 cm
Introduction
This centipede is orange-brown in colour and is usually found in and beneath rotting logs.
Identification
This centipede is orange-brown in colour and is usually found in and beneath rotting logs. Like other scolopendrid centipedes, the Blind Scolopendrid Centipede has 21 pairs of legs. The last pair is equipped with small blade-like spines for catching prey. With no eyes, it finds its way using sensory hairs on its antennae.
Habitat
Blind Scolopendrid Centipedes live in forests (wet sclerophyll and rainforest).
Distribution
Blind Scolopendrid Centipedes are found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. Also in New Zealand and Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia).
