Photo of giant redheaded centipede goes viral, horrifies social media users

They say everything is bigger in Texas and that seems to be true at least when it comes to centipedes.

Live Science noted that last week the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department posted a picture of the creepy crawler on its Facebook page and the photo went viral.

The large insect, which was found on a broomstick at Garner State Park in Concan near San Antonio, is known as the Texas redheaded centipede. It can grow up to eight inches long, has 21 to 23 pairs of yellow-colored legs and typically feeds on snakes, toads and rodents.

The bugs can also be found in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona and as far south as northern Mexico.

A bite from the centipede can cause necrosis, nausea, dizziness and headaches, but generally the bite is not life-threating. Although rare side effects of muscle tissue damage, kidney failure and heart attack can occur.

Here is a look at the insect that has been giving social media users nightmares recently.

Image shared via Twitter by KPRC 2 Houston

For more daily news stories follow Michelle on Twitter @PhilaMichelle

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