Cormocephalus rubriceps

Cormocephalus rubriceps, commonly known as hura or giant centipede, is a species of centipede that can reach up to 20 centimetres (8 in) in length. They are native to Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, they occur in several pockets throughout the country whilst in New Zealand they occur only in the North Island. It was first described in 1843 by English entomologist George Newport. They typically occur in damp habitat such as rotting logs, but occasionally occur in caves. They are predators that will feed on a range of invertebrates and small reptiles. When threatened, they can inflict a painful bite. In New Zealand, they are preyed upon by introduced pest species such as rats and hedgehogs. As such, they are most abundant in areas where these pests are not present, such as offshore islands.