Vietnamese centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) scurrying across rocks. This species is among the largest centipedes reaching a length of 20 cm. They are common to Southeast Asia but can also be found in most tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Hawaii. These centipedes are fast and quick to attack, preying mostly on insects and other arthropods, and occasionally mice and small reptiles -- in short, just about anything no larger than themselves. They have powerful jaws and are equipped with poison claws which are used to subdue prey. Despite their common name, centipedes seldom have 100 legs, with most having less, and a few having more than 300. This one has 40.