Native to Aotearoa / New Zealand, where it is found on Te Ika a Māui / North Island and nearby islands, more commonly in the north.
Giant centipede
Māori name: hara, hura
English name: giant centipede
Scientific name: Cormocephalus rubriceps (Newport)
Order: Chilopoda;
Family: Scolopendridae
- is native to Aotearoa / New Zealand, where it is found on Te Ika a Māui / North Island and nearby islands, more commonly in the north. It also occurs in Australia;
- may grow up to 160 mm in length and 10 mm across;
- shelters under or in logs and amongst leaves on the ground;
- is carnivorous, crushing and piercing prey with its fearsome jaws, or mandibles;
- has a bite that is painful although not harmful to humans.