Scolopendra polymorpha – Desert Tiger Centipede | Native North American Species | Live Arrival Guarantee

Scolopendra polymorpha – Desert Tiger Centipede

Size, life stage & quantity options

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• Size / stock option: Wild Caught Baby (1 to 2")
• Size / stock option: Wild Caught Mix Size

Measurements are reproduced as listed in the ordering options. If you need a specific body length or leg span, please confirm the measurement with us before ordering.

For a quantity, sex, or life stage not specified in your chosen option, contact Isopod King before purchasing.

The Desert Tiger Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha) is the most widespread centipede in North America — a hardy, adaptable, and visually variable species found across the arid deserts and scrublands of the American Southwest and into Mexico. Known for its striking banded coloration — typically warm tan, orange, or reddish-brown body segments with contrasting darker banding — this species earns its "tiger" name honestly. No two specimens look exactly alike, making each one a unique display animal.

For keepers interested in native North American invertebrates, S. polymorpha is the definitive entry point into centipede keeping — impressive, active, and far more manageable in size than its giant cousins.

Why Collectors Love This Species

• Striking variable coloration — warm orange, tan, or reddish-brown with darker banding; highly variable between individuals, each one unique
• Native North American species — found naturally across the American Southwest; a piece of local desert fauna you can observe up close
• Most widespread North American Scolopendra — a well-studied, robust species with a proven track record in captivity
• Active and engaging — a fast, alert predator that makes for a dynamic display animal
• More manageable than giant species — smaller than S. heros or S. subspinipes; a great introduction to the Scolopendra genus

Care Overview

• Origin: American Southwest — Arizona, New Mexico, California, Utah, and into Mexico (New World)
• Adult Size: Approximately 4–6 inches
• Temperament: Defensive and fast — intermediate keepers recommended; do not handle
• Enclosure: Secure, escape-proof enclosure with cross-ventilation
• Substrate: Dry to slightly moist sandy coco fiber mix, 3–5 inches deep for burrowing
• Temperature: 72–85°F; tolerates heat well given desert origins
• Humidity: 40–60%; keep it relatively dry with a small water dish available
• Diet: Crickets, roaches, mealworms, and other appropriately sized feeders; feed every 1–2 weeks

Live Arrival Guarantee

Every Desert Tiger Centipede ships with our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the rare event your animal arrives deceased, photo and video documentation of the animal in the original, unopened packaging is required to process a DOA claim. Please review our full policy before purchasing.

Report a live-arrival problem within one hour of carrier-recorded delivery or pickup. Email support@isopodking.com with your order number, clear photos of the affected animals and all packaging, and a brief description. The contact form does not accept photo attachments. Keep the animals, products, and packaging until the claim is resolved. Send any video documentation required by this listing to the same email address. Coverage and resolutions follow our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Not recommended for beginners. Scolopendra species deliver a painful, medically significant bite and sting. Handle with extreme caution.