Is scolopendra dangerous for humans? First aid for a bite of a poisonous millipede

Scolopendra is a predatory poisonous animal from the millipede family. She is known for her unusual appearance, which causes conflicting feelings in people. Most of them encounter fear and disgust. But there are lovers of exotic animals who keep them in home terrariums, and even let them run around the apartment. Is scolopendra dangerous for humans? She will not be able to cause significant harm to her health, but her bite will deliver a lot of unpleasant sensations in the form of pain and malaise from the poison.

Features of the life of a poisonous millipede

Scolopendras are bright representatives of the genus of the leg-footed centipedes. Their distinguishing feature is the changed forelimbs that have turned into the jaw. The body consists of segments, the number of which in different species ranges from 21 to 25. Each segment has its own pair of legs, ending in sharp claws. Jointed antennae serve as organs of touch. A variety of colors attracts attention to these creatures. In their paint there is red, blue, orange, purple, yellow and numerous combinations.

A variety of species and colors of scolopendra is found in hot tropical forests. The largest representatives of the family live here - giant scolopendras. The average length of their body is 30 cm, but individuals up to 45-50 cm come across. They choose a prey equal in size to themselves. But an aggressive manner of attacking any danger can provoke a person’s bite. Skolopendra is a long-livers among invertebrates; in captivity, individuals living up to 7 years are found.

Information. Scientists attribute animal aggression to poor eyesight.

Nutrition and Reproduction

Scolopendras are nocturnal predators, they hide from the sun's rays, drying their body. Creatures live in crevices, under stones, in holes. Artful animals quickly move on numerous legs, not only on a horizontal, but also on a vertical surface, climb to the ceiling of a cave or house. Millipedes prey on insects, small rodents, snakes and lizards.

During the breeding season, males lay a special bag with a seed - a spermatophore. Females fertilize, crawling through it. Caring mothers protect the eggs from danger for several weeks by covering them with their own paws. After the offspring appears, the female crawls away. White soft-bodied babies grow on their own, with each molt becoming more like an adult.

Poisonous apparatus

To better understand the consequences of a scolopendra bite, it is worth considering the device of its poisonous apparatus. The jaw that the millipede catches prey consists of 6 segments. The extreme is a sharp claw, curved inward. Inside the mandible passes the channel of the poisonous gland. At the tip of the claw is a hole through which the toxin is injected into the victim. It contains substances that cause severe pain, tissue numbness, swelling and inflammation. Pain is observed from several hours to several days.

Attention. Scolopendra venom is especially dangerous in spring and autumn.

Collision with scolopendra

Giant centipedes, characterized by aggressive disposition and toxic poison, are found in the tropics and subtropics. Residents of the temperate zone should not be afraid of a collision with a 30-centimeter giant that can easily kill a small snake. In Europe, individuals are found that are twice as small as the representatives of tropical species. How is scolopendra dangerous for humans? The bite of a poisonous millipede is very painful. In most cases, the dose of injected poison is small, it will not be able to kill or paralyze an adult. Children are in greater danger, their body has still formed a strong protective immunity. The attack of a large individual on a child can lead to serious consequences.

Attention. California scolopendra can cause painful skin changes without even having to bite. In her body there is toxic mucus, which, when in danger, comes out. Contact with it causes a severe allergic reaction.

On the territory of Russia, scolopendras are found only in several regions - the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Rostov Region and the Krasnodar Territory. Millipedes of small size 12-14 cm live here. This is a ringed scolopendra. She leads a nocturnal lifestyle, at dusk goes hunting for insects and small lizards. The view is not aggressive, but you should be careful when hiking with an overnight stay. A millipede can crawl into a tent or sleeping bag. Also, be careful when collecting branches for a fire. Accidentally disturbing the scolopendra will get a bite comparable to the sting of 20 bees. The action of the poison is not fatal, but extremely unpleasant and painful. Claws on numerous limbs leave red spots on the skin if the arthropod just runs through the body.

Scolopendra in the house

Ringed scolopendra can settle in the house. She is attracted by the favorable environment - warmth, the presence of damp and dark shelters, food in the form of insects. She does not eat human food, does not spoil furniture. The positive moment of her presence is the breeding of all small invertebrates: cockroaches, spiders, flies. Such a neighborhood is safe until you accidentally step on a millipede or provoke it in another way. Defending himself, the scolopendra will bite. Residents of coastal areas where dangerous centipedes live should be careful. Do not leave the doors open, and install mosquito nets on the windows.

Attention. The appearance of millipedes provokes cats to hunt. Eating such prey is dangerous for pets, ticks parasitize on scolopendra.

How to get rid of millipedes?

He will find few thrill-seekers who will normally perceive the appearance in the house, albeit a small but poisonous scolopendra. Concerns for their health and well-being of children make them seek the opportunity to drive her out of the house. The best solution in this case is the creation of adverse conditions - the complete destruction of insects and the drying of moisture.

What to do when a millipede bites?

If it was not possible to avoid the attack of scolopendra, then first aid should be given to the person, based on the symptoms that have appeared:

• burning in the bite;
• redness;
• edema;
• increase in body temperature to 38-39⁰;
• nausea;
• weakness and dizziness.

Most scolopendra attacks occur in the tropics and deserts. Attacks of local millipedes cause inflammation and tissue necrosis, renal failure, heart failure. Lymph nodes that are located close to the site of the bite increase.

The described symptoms persist for up to two days. It would seem that residents of Russian cities have no reason to fear Asian and tropical millipedes, but danger can lie in wait in their own apartment. Numerous lovers of exotic animals make beautiful tropical species of centipedes, but make mistakes in the process of leaving, as a result of which they bite the owners or run away. The runaway easily and nimbly climbs the walls and hides in the ventilation system. An unexpected dangerous guest can appear in any apartment.

Tip. If necessary, transplant the scolopendra from the terrarium, do not touch it with your bare hands, use special forceps.

What to do if a scolopendra has bitten? The poison of tropical species quickly penetrates the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. To reduce this process, it is recommended to apply a tourniquet above the bite site. Treat the wound with substances that neutralize the poison:

• ethyl alcohol - pour on the wound;
• alkaline solution - prepared at home from baking soda.

If you have a fever, blurred thoughts, numbness in the limbs, or if you have difficulty breathing, call a doctor immediately.

Information. The bite of the Vietnamese scolopendra Scolopendra subspinipes, having a body length of 20 cm, leaves a wound up to 1.5 cm in diameter and 5 mm deep. Within 2 hours, the limb doubles, the effects of the toxin are similar to the poison of a viper. Blood flows from the wound for a long time, special substances in the composition of the poison prevent its coagulation. The condition is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees. It is recommended that the victim be given an antihistamine and sent to the hospital.

One of the consequences of a millipede bite is infection. The remains of animal food, rotten on the maxilla, can get into the wound. Thorough treatment with a disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol tincture) will help to avoid unpleasant complications. In the absence of special tools, it is enough to wash the wound with water and soap.

What treatment can be applied at home?

After washing the affected area with water or an alcoholic composition, a sterile dressing should be applied. To reduce pain, use a compress of ice, take an analgesic. The patient needs peace, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids, which helps to eliminate toxins from the body. It will not be superfluous to take medications for allergies.

Do not panic when meeting with a scolopendra, a small millipede will try to hide from a person more likely. Also, do not act imprudently and pick it up. It is difficult to predict the reaction of the animal, if it panics, then it will certainly bite. Remember that millipede venom is not fatal, but the bite site will turn red and hurt for several hours.