A biologist discovered the first known amphibious giant centipede during his honeymoon in Thailand, revealing a unique species capable of swimming.
Biologist discovers rare centipede in Thailand
In 2001, biologist George Beccaloni, working at the Natural History Museum in London, found the first known amphibious giant centipede while on his honeymoon in Thailand. He discovered it by turning over stones near a watercourse, where he encountered a large, dark, almost black-and-green creature with unusually long legs.Centipede's unusual behavior
Instead of fleeing into the forest, the centipede dove into the stream, moved along the bottom, and then slid under a rock. According to a report by the National Geographic, capturing the centipede required patience. When placed in a container filled with water, the centipede moved along the bottom using horizontal undulations, similar to an eel.Species officially described in 2016
This species, described in 2016 and published in ZooKeys by the team of Somsak Panha at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, belongs to the genus Scolopendra. It is the first known centipede species capable of swimming.Centipede named after Laotian waterfalls
The species is named after the waterfalls in southern Laos, and its first recorded sighting in Thailand was by Beccaloni during his honeymoon. The centipede's waterproof carapace remains a subject of intrigue for naturalists.
