Creepy or cute? Skin-crawling footage shows a 6-inch long centipede embracing her 80 freshly-hatched babies
A mother's love is normally a thing of beauty, but this skin-crawling footage of a centipede embracing her newborn babies might just be the exception.
The nightmarish video shows the 6-inch (15cm) long creepy crawly wrapped around 80 hatchlings to protect them as they scamper over one another inside an enclosure.
Captured last week in the Philippines' Manila, the footage has sent the internet into a spin with millions of views and comments.
And while most keep cats or dogs as pets John Heidel Raquel, 22, prefers companionship from this 100-legged beast and her translucent offspring.
Real estate agent Mr Raquel said: 'I think people appreciate this on different levels.
'On one hand it looks very unique like an alien being but on the other hand, it's touching because of how well this mother cares for and protects her young.
'The maternal care of centipedes is really amazing. She spends a whole month keeping watch over her babies without eating.'
A mother's love is normally a thing of beauty, but this skin-crawling footage of a centipede embracing her newborn babies might just be the exception
The nightmarish video shows the 6-inch (15cm) long, translucent creepy crawly wrapped around 80 hatchlings as they scamper over one another inside an enclosure
This species of centipede - Scolopendra Morsitans - known as the Tanzanian blue ringleg or red-headed centipede, often live in leaf litter, under logs, or beneath loose bark
In the video, the mother can be seen 'cuddling' her hatchlings and wrapping them in a ball with her body.
Some species of centipede leave their eggs to develop on their own, but others take care of them.
The centipede featured in the video, known as Scolopendra Morsitans, is seen protecting the hatchlings until they’ve molted once or twice.
By wrapping their bodies around their brood, the mother protects them from any nearby predators such as mice or toads.
However, if the mothers are gravely threatened during this period, they may eat the eggs rather than let the intruder do so.
The venom from a centipede is enough to kill much larger animals like mice and even some small snakes. The venom causes the heart to stop beating by interfering with potassium channels in the boy
In the video, the mother can be seen 'cuddling' her hatchlings and embracing them in a ball. Some species of centipede leave their eggs to develop on their own, but others take care of them
The insect-lover found the wild centipede in his garden last year and decided to take it into his care.
Though he has spent plenty of time watching the venomous critter since she gave birth last month, Mr Raquel knows better than risking a dangerous bite.
He has good reason for his trepidation as it has been known for centipede bites from similar species to result in human fatalities in the Philippines.
Mr Raquel said: 'It's definitely not advisable to touch centipedes, they're born killers.
'There have been cases where they have killed humans and even cows.
'I'm just amazed to see how popular this has gone. I think it's creepy, but people can see the love behind it.'
John Raquel is an insect-lover who found the wild centipede - known as a Scolopendra Morsitans - in his backyard last year and decided to take it into his care. Since giving birth to her offspring last month the centipede has been embracing them
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