Centipede, Scolopendra dawydoffi (Chilopoda: Scolopendridae), predation on an egg-laying snake, Sibynophis triangularis (Squamata: Colubridae), in Thailand

Abstract

While typically insectivorous, large centipedes are known to attack and eat vertebrates. Though opportunistic, this behavior might be relatively frequent. Predation of centipedes on snakes is rarely observed. We report an incident, witnessed at the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand, involving the predation of a scolopendrid centipede, Scolopendra dawydoffi, on a female colubrid snake, Sibynophis triangularis. This is the first known case of a centipede predating on a vertebrate that that was laying eggs.