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Frozen Centipedes - 2 pieces/Pack
$5.00
Size: 4-5”+-
Frozen centipedes are primarily used as feed for captive animals, such as pet arowana fish and lizards, for several reasons:
Nutritional Benefits and Growth Promotion
- Dietary Diversity and Health: Incorporating centipedes into the diet, alongside other natural foods, helps ensure a complete and varied diet for captive animals, which is crucial for overall health.
- Enhanced Growth and Gut Health: Studies on juvenile lizards found that adding centipedes to their diet promoted faster growth rates and better gut microbiota balance compared to a single-item diet (e.g., only earthworms).
- Color Enhancement in Fish: In the arowana fish trade, centipedes are commonly used in Asia to intensify the fish's coloration. It is believed the toxins in the centipede's claws stimulate the development of red or gold hues in the fish.
- Rich Nutrient Profile: Centipedes are a nutritious food source, containing high levels of protein (around 74% dry weight) and various amino acids and trace elements.
Safety and Convenience for Captive Environments
- Safety from Venom/Injury: Live centipedes are venomous and can inflict a painful bite. They can also injure a pet or escape their enclosure if not immediately eaten. Feeding frozen/thawed centipedes eliminates these risks, making them safer and easier to handle.
- Convenience: Frozen centipedes offer a convenient, pre-killed food source that can be stored long-term and defrosted as needed, reducing the need to maintain a live food supply.
- Parasite Risk Reduction: Pre-killed or commercially prepared food items can have a lower chance of carrying parasites compared to wild-caught live insects.
In summary, feeding frozen centipedes provides essential nutrients and specific benefits like color enhancement, while mitigating the safety and handling challenges associated with live, venomous prey.
