Scolopendra sp. 'Buton Black' – Buton Black Centipede | Chocolate-to-Black Giant with Cherry Head | Live Arrival Guarantee | TDE

Scolopendra sp. ‘Buton Black’ — Buton Black Centipede

From the island of Buton off the southeastern coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia comes one of the most compelling color-progression centipedes in the hobby. Scolopendra sp. ‘Buton Black’ starts life as a rich, warm dark chocolate brown — deep, smooth, and already striking as a juvenile. With each molt, the body darkens further, transitioning through deep espresso tones until reaching a true, glossy black at adulthood. Throughout every stage, the head remains a vivid cherry red — a bold, consistent accent that pops against the darkening body and makes every instar worth watching.

Raising a Buton Black from juvenile to adult is like watching a photograph develop in slow motion. Every molt is an event.

Why Collectors Love This Species

• Chocolate-to-black color progression — juveniles display a rich dark chocolate brown that deepens with each molt, eventually transitioning to a true glossy black at adulthood; one of the most rewarding color progressions in the centipede hobby
• Cherry red head — a vivid, consistent cherry-red head that contrasts sharply against the darkening body at every life stage; the defining feature of this species
• Island endemic — native to Buton Island, a geographically distinct locality off southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia; a rare and collectible provenance
• Every instar is worth keeping — unlike species where juveniles are drab, the Buton Black is stunning at every stage of development
• Impressive adult size — a large, robust Scolopendra with commanding enclosure presence at maturity
• Extreme rarity — seldom available in the US hobby; a genuine trophy specimen

Care Overview

• Origin: Old World — Buton Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia
• Enclosure: Secure terrestrial setup with escape-proof lid; deep substrate (5–7") with cork bark or flat rock hides
• Temperature: 76–86°F
• Humidity: Moderate to high — 70–80%; keep one side of substrate slightly moist
• Diet: Appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and other prey; aggressive and enthusiastic feeder at all life stages
• Venom: ⚠️ Like all large Old World Scolopendra, this species possesses medically significant venom. Bites are extremely painful and can cause intense localized pain, severe swelling, and systemic symptoms. Never handle — use long tongs for all maintenance without exception.
• Experience Level: Advanced — for experienced invertebrate keepers only

Live Arrival Guarantee

Every specimen ships with our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the unlikely event of a DOA, photo and video documentation of the unopened or just-opened package is required to process a claim. Contact us immediately upon receipt.