This is a centipede (probably a Tiger centipede - Scolopendra polymorpha) While it can bite and like all centipedes have venom, their bites are no more toxic than a bee sting in most humans causing pain and localized swelling but not extreme tissue necrosis.
They are not well adapted to the desert southwest where they are found and hide during the day, looking for moist, cooler environments. They come in a variety of colors and range between 4” - 7”… like all centipedes, they feed on other animals, mostly other invertebrates but can take and consume small lizards and frogs. Your colleague needn’t fear - they are very shy and spend most of their time hiding. Regards, Jill Gordon > On Mar 26, 2025, at 6:15 PM, Chelsee Boehm > <chelsee.bo...@canyoncounty.id.gov> wrote: > > Hello, > > Can anyone help me identify this creature? I’m afraid I don’t have any idea > of measurements or a scale. My terrified colleague disposed of it immediately. > > If it’s helpful, we are along the Snake River Canyon in Idaho. > > Thanks! > > Chelsee Boehm > Historic Preservation Officer > Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources > chelsee.bo...@canyoncounty.id.gov <mailto:chelsee.bo...@canyoncounty.id.gov> > (208) 299-9107 > <image001.png> > www.canyoncouny.id.gov/parks <http://www.canyoncouny.id.gov/parks> > www.facebook.com/canyoncountyparks <http://www.facebook.com/canyoncountyparks> > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MuseumPests" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > <mailto:pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/3c8405d2214641c58c8e00aabc717b0e%40canyoncounty.id.gov > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/3c8405d2214641c58c8e00aabc717b0e%40canyoncounty.id.gov?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. > <347D3BF2.jpg><6AE0774B.jpg>  Dr. Jill Gordon Urban Entomologist Mantis Consulting 86 Crease Rd Mt. Olive NJ 07828 (973) 945-1776 drjil...@gmail.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/27065595-21B0-4480-AFAC-DDAF0EED1C61%40gmail.com.
