Giant House Centipede

大蚰蜒 / Giant house centipede / オオゲジ (Thereuopoda clunifera)

Species Information

Scientific name: Thereuopoda clunifera
Japanese name: オオゲジ
Chinese name: 大蚰蜒、臀獵足蚰
English name: Giant house centipede
Origin: Widely distributed in warm, humid areas of East and Southeast Asia. In Japan, found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands.

Ecology and Description

The giant house centipede can grow up to 7-10 cm and preys on insects and other small animals. It has orange markings on each body segment, typically hides in tree hollows during the day, and is active at night.

Field Photographs Taken During Our Tours, with Observation Dates

During our 【Herping】 tour in forest environments, there is a high chance of encountering this species, which will quickly run and hide when disturbed.

Giant house centipede (Thereuopoda clunifera) May 9, 2026 Preying on conspecific Kunigami
May 9, 2026, Kunigami, Preying on conspecific.
Giant house centipede (Thereuopoda clunifera) Oct 15, 2024 Possibly freshly molted, appearing bluish individual Ishigaki
Oct 15, 2024, Ishigaki, Possibly freshly molted, appearing bluish individual.