Centipedes are long, many-legged creatures that move fast and like dark, damp places. They crawl under rocks, leaves, and logs. That’s also where salamanders live. These two animals often cross paths in the wild. But if you’ve ever seen a centipede scurry past, you might wonder if a salamander would eat one.
The short answer is yes. Salamanders do eat centipedes, but not always. Some salamanders will go after small centipedes if they can catch them. But larger centipedes can bite, and some have venom. Because of this, many salamanders avoid them and go for easier prey.
What Makes Good Salamander Food?
Salamanders are carnivores. They hunt and eat meat. But that doesn’t mean they eat everything. Most salamanders have small mouths and soft bodies. They prefer prey that is:
- Soft
- Moist
- Easy to catch
- Easy to swallow
They also like prey that doesn’t fight back. Earthworms, slugs, crickets, fly larvae, and other soft bugs are perfect.
These animals don’t have hard shells. They don’t have claws or fangs. They don’t sting or bite. Salamanders can grab them and gulp them down quickly.
Centipedes are different. They’re fast, they can fight back, and many of them have hard outer shells.
Some even have venom. These traits make centipedes a risky meal.
Still, salamanders are opportunistic. That means they will eat what they can catch, if it’s small enough, slow enough, and looks safe.
Are All Centipedes the Same?
No. There are hundreds of kinds of centipedes. They come in all sizes and live in many places. Some are tiny and harmless. Others are large and strong. Here are a few types you might see:
- Soil centipedes – These are small, soft, and slow. Salamanders are more likely to eat these.
- House centipedes – These are faster, with long legs. Salamanders might eat small ones.
- Large tropical centipedes – These are long, tough, and venomous. Salamanders avoid them.
The key is size and danger. A salamander will not take on something that looks too big or scary. But a small centipede that’s moving slowly might still be seen as food.
Can Centipedes Hurt Salamanders?
Yes, they can. Centipedes have fangs. These fangs are actually their front legs, shaped into sharp pincers called forcipules.
These forcipules inject venom into their prey. In some species, the venom can even hurt animals bigger than the centipede.
If a salamander tries to eat a large or aggressive centipede, it could get bitten. A bite could cause swelling, stress, or pain. In serious cases, venom might affect the salamander’s nervous system or make it sick.
Even if the centipede doesn’t bite, its body might be too hard to chew. Some centipedes have thick shells.
If the salamander swallows one, it might have trouble digesting it. This can lead to discomfort, blockage, or even injury inside the body.
Do Wild Salamanders Eat Centipedes?
Yes, they do, but not often. In the wild, salamanders will sometimes eat a centipede if the moment is right.
A small centipede moving slowly in the wrong place might be swallowed in an instant. This can happen under logs, in leaf litter, or near water.
But wild salamanders have instincts. They know when something is risky. If a centipede is moving too fast, looks too big, or smells dangerous, the salamander might leave it alone. They usually prefer easier meals.
In the wild, salamanders mostly eat things like:
- Springtails
- Flies
- Worms
- Termites
- Small spiders
- Tiny beetles and grubs
Centipedes are just one of many possible meals, and not one of the top choices.
Do Salamanders in Captivity Eat Centipedes?
They might, but they shouldn’t. Pet salamanders do not have the same options wild ones do. In the wild, a salamander can walk away from bad food.
In a tank, it can’t. If you put a live centipede in a tank, it might crawl on the salamander, bite it, or stress it out.
Wild-caught centipedes can carry:
- Pesticides
- Parasites
- Bacteria
- Mites
- Venom
None of these are good for a salamander. Even if your pet does eat the centipede, it might become sick afterward.
Pet salamanders also don’t need to be fed risky prey.
They can thrive on a diet of safe, nutritious insects that are raised specifically for feeding.
Safe Foods for Pet Salamanders
There are many feeder insects and worms that are good for salamanders. These are safer, cleaner, and easier to digest.
They include:
- Earthworms
- Crickets
- Flightless fruit flies
- Waxworms
- Bloodworms
- Mealworms (for larger salamanders, in moderation)
- Blackworms
These foods are soft, moist, and bite-sized. They are also raised in clean conditions and do not carry venom or disease.
You can buy them in most pet stores or online. They can also be gut-loaded with vitamins to improve your salamander’s nutrition.
Centipedes do not offer enough benefit to outweigh the risk. For this reason, most salamander owners leave them out of the diet entirely.
What If a Salamander Eats a Centipede by Accident?
Sometimes, a salamander might grab a small centipede without realizing it.
If the centipede is very small and soft-bodied, the salamander might not be harmed. It may digest the insect without a problem.
But even a small centipede might bite on the way down. The salamander might show signs of stress or discomfort afterward. Watch closely. Look for:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling
- Trouble walking
- Strange behavior
- Labored breathing
If you see any of these signs, take your salamander to an exotic vet. These vets know how to treat amphibians.
They may prescribe medication or fluids to help your pet recover.
Why Centipedes Are Not Worth the Risk
Even though salamanders can eat centipedes, that doesn’t mean they should. Most of the time, the risks are too high.
A centipede might bite. It might carry venom. It might carry disease. Even if it doesn’t hurt your salamander, it might cause stress.
Stress can be just as dangerous as injury. A stressed salamander might stop eating, hide all the time, or get sick more easily.
Over time, this can lead to poor health.
That’s why responsible salamander owners skip centipedes. They focus on the foods that help their pets thrive, not ones that might cause trouble.
Conclusion
Salamanders do eat centipedes, but not very often. In the wild, a salamander might eat a small, soft centipede if the moment is right.
But many centipedes are dangerous. They can bite, inject venom, or cause digestive trouble. That’s why salamanders usually go for safer, softer food.
In captivity, feeding centipedes is not a good idea. They can injure your pet or carry harmful substances. There are better choices.
Stick with crickets, worms, flies, and soft feeder insects. These foods are safer and healthier.
If your salamander does eat a centipede by accident, watch for signs of illness. If you see anything strange, talk to a vet.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.