Staff a Deep Sea World in North Queensferry are taking special precautions when handling a giant bat-catching centipede which uses deadly venom to paralyse its prey.
The 20cm centipede have been seen in their natural habitat catching bats and large insects.
As its name suggests, the Vietnamese giant centipede is found in Vietnam but also in other south-east Asian and tropical countries.
Deep Sea World’s aquarist Michael Morris said, “This species has been known to catch bats in flight.
“With speed like that, coupled with an aggressive nature, caring for one here at the aquarium could easily get a little dicey at times.”
He added, “I doubt whether the centipede will show any aggression to us while we are cleaning its exhibit it will try to get away if it can.
“However, if it’s cornered, it will stand its ground and probably attack and, with such a venomous bite, we don’t want to take any chances.”
The centipede attacks by grasping its prey and injecting them with paralysing venom with its specially-adapted front legs.
The venom can cause pain and serious swelling in humans, as well as systemic effects such as nausea and fever.
The word centipede roughly translates as “100 feet” in Latin. Most centipedes have far fewer feet, or legs, with 15 to 30 pairs being typical.
It is the newest addition to the award-winning aquarium’s Jaws feature, which showcases the biting power of creatures from around the world.
There are black piranhas, deadly spiders, horned frogs and alligator snapping turtles.