Before hunting, centipedes will first wave their sensitive antennae to explore and search for prey. This is because centipedes have poor vision and hearing; they can't see clearly at a distance but instead perceive vibrations. Once prey is detected, the centipede will swiftly pounce, quickly clamping down on the prey with its venomous fangs and injecting poison. It then uses several of its front legs to encircle the prey, rendering it immobile. After the prey has been paralyzed by the venom and lost its ability to resist, the centipede will choose a soft part of the prey's body, tear into it with its large mandibles, and slowly consume it. Due to their aggressive nature, when centipedes are laying eggs or hatching them, food should not be provided to prevent the centipedes from eating both the food and the eggs. Centipedes have a habit of drinking water, so clean drinking water must be supplied during artificial breeding. Water can be placed in shallow dishes for free access or sprayed onto mesh decorations in the breeding area.
In recent years, there has been a high demand for centipedes. Sales of centipedes are calculated per individual. Generally, an adult centipede sells for over one yuan each, while those of better quality and larger size can fetch around three yuan each. The cost is relatively low, and the risk of breeding is not significant, making the benefits of breeding quite considerable.
Centipede Breeding Techniques
Centipedes are easy to breed. First, they don't require much space and can be raised almost anywhere. Second, the housing and tools needed for breeding are simple, the feed economical, and the investment small—more or less depending on the scale. Third, diseases are rare, and there are basically no major health concerns. Fourth, the breeding techniques are straightforward and easy to master, and breeding centipedes does not pollute the environment.
Living Habits of Centipedes
Centipedes have seven main living habits. One of the most significant factors affecting centipedes is temperature, as they are ectothermic animals whose all life activities are closely related to temperature. The optimal temperature range for centipede growth and development is 25°C to 32°C. When temperatures are between 11°C to 15°C, centipedes reduce their feeding, stop mating and egg-laying. Temperatures dropping below 10°C cause centipedes to cease all activities, burrow into loose soil (or their nests), curl up, and enter hibernation. If temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, centipedes may freeze to death. However, when temperatures rise to 33°C to 35°C, due to water loss within their bodies, all activities come to a halt. If temperatures exceed 36°C, excessive water loss leads to desiccation and death. Each spring after the Awakening of Insects, centipedes become active again. As temperatures gradually increase, centipedes gradually shift to cooler, shaded slopes or higher locations for activity. In late autumn, they migrate back to sunny slopes or warm places to prepare for winter.
The second factor is humidity. The optimal air humidity for centipede life and development is 60% to 70%, and the soil humidity should be 10% to 20%. In summer, the ideal soil humidity is generally 22% to 25%, and in winter, 8% to 15%. During spring and autumn, it is about 20%.
Thirdly, dietary habits. Despite their small size, centipedes are carnivorous animals. They are aggressive and like to hunt various insects and their larvae and eggs, such as crickets, spiders, earthworms, snails, locusts, June bugs, rice sheath caterpillars, and the pupae and eggs of various flies and bees. In seasons when insect availability is low, they also eat juicy fruits like watermelon, cucumber, apple, as well as tender grass and vegetables. During artificial breeding, centipedes are often fed animal by-products.
Golden Headed Centipede Breeding Prospects? Golden Headed Centipede Breeding Techniques? Golden Headed Centipede Breeding Costs?
Fourth, centipedes prefer group living. Although centipedes have a tendency to kill each other, they enjoy living in groups of varying sizes. Centipedes in the same group coexist harmoniously, rarely engaging in fights that lead to cannibalism. If the habitat becomes too small and overcrowded, older centipedes will automatically leave to find new habitats. Therefore, there is no need to separate them by size during breeding, making management easier.
Fifth, centipedes are timid and easily startled. Even slight disturbances can cause them to stop eating, abandon their nests, flee frantically, or curl up motionless. Female centipedes that are laying eggs will immediately stop the process if startled, and centipedes incubating eggs might eat them if disturbed.
Sixth, molting. A key characteristic of centipedes is their chitinous exoskeleton, which supports their bodies. However, this exoskeleton does not grow, so centipedes must molt periodically. Each time they molt, they grow longer. Molting starts with the head and ends with the tail, taking about 4-5 minutes per segment and 2-3 hours for the entire process. Over their lifetime, centipedes molt 11 times before reaching adulthood.
During molting, it is crucial to maintain quietness, as disturbances can prolong molting time and affect growth. Care must also be taken to protect against attacks from natural enemies like ants.
Seventh, centipedes prefer dark, damp environments but fear standing water. Wild centipedes mostly live in crevices on hillsides, fields, roadsides, or among dense grasses due to their strong ability to burrow. Management must take care to prevent escape.
Additionally, centipedes are photophobic, meaning they avoid light. They rest in their nests during the day and come out at night to move, feed, and mate. Peak activity occurs between 8 PM and midnight, with centipedes usually returning to their nests by 4 AM. They are rarely seen after dawn. On rainy days or when winds exceed six levels, centipedes do not leave their nests.
Supported by Huazhong Agricultural University: As a key university under the national "211 Project," Huazhong Agricultural University collaborates with Wuhan Agroscience Humin Bioengineering Co., Ltd. to jointly research scientific farming techniques for centipede breeding, specifically focusing on the Humin No. 2 Golden-headed Centipede.
Advanced Technology Advantage: Through years of observation by multiple biological experts and professors of bioengineering from Wuhan Agroscience Humin Bioengineering Co., Ltd. and Huazhong Agricultural University, a new generation of species—the Humin No. 2 Golden-headed Centipede—has been bred using genetic modification technology. Observations show that this species is easy to breed, docile, adaptable, grows fast, reproduces efficiently, and offers superior medicinal value and economic significance, making it an ideal investment project for farmers.
Complete Breeding Facilities: The company leverages agricultural science expertise and life sciences as its specialty. Supported by experts and scholars from the Animal Science and Technology College, it focuses on modern bioengineering, special breeding, and insect resource development. It integrates research, breeding, teaching, promotion, technical services, production, sales, and import-export trade. It owns extensive ecological breeding areas, solar house breeding areas, greenhouse breeding areas, and separate technical training centers, seedling breeding centers, germplasm rooms, incubation rooms, and gene conversion rooms, ensuring excellent foundations and a complete system.
Wuhan Agroscience Humin Company: Upholding the tradition of diligent reading and hard work, our company aims to promote scientific farming. Guided by integrity, dedication, pragmatism, innovation, and win-win philosophy, we strive to advance the industrial development of centipede resources. We are committed to providing our fellow farmers with superior, high-yield seedlings, advanced technology, and comprehensive services, keeping pace with the times to create a brighter future together.
Wuhan Agroscience Humin Centipede Breeding Official Website: hm9188.com/index1.asp
Consultation: 027-87672386 or 87672385 with Mr. Yu, QQ for detailed inquiries: 1229441013
Mr. Guo: 1 5 5 2 7 8 2 6 1 5 8
Hubei Agroscience Humin Centipede Breeding Base Address: Room 318, Tianhui Building, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuchang District, Wuhan City