This redheaded, black-bodied arthropod looks almost like a toy for a prank. Place it in the room of your unsuspecting victim and await their panicked screams.

But it is actually a real animal.

A little late for an April Fool’s joke from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which tweeted the above picture of a giant redheaded centipede (Scolopendra heros) earlier this month (July 1), the photo was snapped at Garner State Park in Texas Hill Country.

 

Texas-sized centipede at Garner State Park pic.twitter.com/WGUu91VVEY

— TX Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDparks) July 1, 2015

 

And the Internet could not believe it.

 

@AshliMcKee Full size broom. Here's more about the Texas Redhead centiipede http://t.co/DC9ccWTkiA

— TX Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDparks) July 1, 2015

 

You wouldn’t miss this if you saw it. The giant redheaded centipede can grow to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long in the wild and can become even lengthier in captivity.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, the giant redheaded centipede hunts and feasts upon lizards, rodents, snakes and toads. The giant centipede uses its legs to capture its victim. Once trapped, the terrifying insect deploys its claws, legs and fangs to pierce skin and administer its agonizing venom.

If you ever encounter this beefy chap, its bite has been described as a “sharp, painful sting,” which can cause minor swelling. In rare cases, these bites can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, skin necrosis, muscle tissue damage, kidney failure and heart attacks.

So you’d better beware if you’re ever in the regions of Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, northern Mexico, southern Missouri, Oklahoma or Louisiana, where the hefty critter is found.

[H/T: Washington Post]