Lord Howe and Philip Islands

11805-14501 Phillip Island Centipede (Cormocephalus coyneii) large adult feeding on a Guenther's Island gecko (Christinus guentheri) in a 'white oak' tree (Lagunaria patersonii). Adult centipedes such as this can grow to almost a foot in length and they are a significant predator of vertebrates such as reptiles and seabird chicks on the island. Centipede venom is encased in two swollen pincer-like appendages or forcipules, on each side of the head. With these forcipules, the centipede envenomates its unsuspecting reptile or petrel chick prey and slowly consumes it whole, leaving behind only a cleanly stripped skeleton. Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group *

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11805-14501 Phillip Island Centipede (Cormocephalus coyneii) large adult feeding on a Guenther's Island gecko (Christinus guentheri) in a 'white oak' tree (Lagunaria patersonii). Adult centipedes such as this can grow to almost a foot in length and they are a significant predator of vertebrates such as reptiles and seabird chicks on the island. Centipede venom is encased in two swollen pincer-like appendages or forcipules, on each side of the head. With these forcipules, the centipede envenomates its unsuspecting reptile or petrel chick prey and slowly consumes it whole, leaving behind only a cleanly stripped skeleton. Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group *

Phillip centipede 14501 Cormocephalus coyneii large island predator feeding Island southern gecko Christinus guentheri Lagunaria Phillip Island Norfolk Group