Every rainy season we have these creepy, crawling centipedes come out – especially after big rains. They move in masses and crawl over each other moving as a blob. It’s like they’re one big organism. If you step on them unawares, they make the most disgusting crunch & smash sound. It’ll give you shivers.
Locals debate as to whether or not they bite/sting. I’ve handled them and never been bit.
Most interesting to me is the critters’ Mampruli name is taasinsimi which is the same word they use for the medical condition known as “athlete’s foot” or “foot rot” (Tinea Pedis). I asked around as to why they share the name and get different responses. Some say the centipedes cause foot rot. Others say their just annoying like athlete’s foot. And others have no clue – that’s just what they’re called.
If any readers can help me identify the species of these red centipedes, I’d really appreciate it. So far my online searches have not been very fruitful.