I’m a Centipede

I’m a Centipede

I have many pairs of legs with many segments.

The amount of legs I have varies based on how many segments making up my body. 

I can have as many as 191 pairs or as few as 15 pairs of legs.

It’s an odd number when it comes to how many pairs of legs I have. 

I’m an anthropod, an invertebrate and am grouped among insects, spiders and crustaceans.

I have a hard exoskeleton to protect me from predators. 

Centipedes and millipedes have a distinctive head with two antennas, small eyes and burrow through the soil similar to earthworms. 

Some species of centipedes and millipedes are unable to see and rely on their sense of touch and smell to navigate their way. 

Centipedes range in size from 4 to 300 millimeters, a fraction of an inch to 1 foot in length. 

Millipedes range in size from 2 to 300 millimeters in length. 

There are nearly 8,000 species of centipedes and 80,000 species of millipedes in the world collectively.

They are found on every continent except Antarctica.

They are found burrowing in the soil, hiding under rocks, leaves, logs, bark of trees, in crevices and in other damp locations. 

Centipedes are generalist predators feeding primarily on insects such as spiders, ants, termites, earthworms, moths, crickets, flies, cockroaches, bedbugs and other small insects. 

Centipedes need water and usually obtain it through their food sources. 

They can also obtain it from water droplets. 

They thrive on land but can navigate shallow waters swimming for very short periods of time but must find land before they drown due to inability to breath and obtain necessary oxygen.

Centipedes are venomous and inflict stings with their front legs to capture their prey. 

You’re probably wondering if millipedes are similar to centipedes. 

The short answer is no as centipedes are carnivores eating insects while millipedes are herbivores eating decaying plants.

Centipedes are venomous while millipedes are not.

Although centipedes are venomous they pose no threat to humans but they do to their prey.

If threatened centipedes run while millipedes curl up and stay motionless.

Millipedes are docile and don’t bite or sting and pose no threat at all. 

Centipedes and millipedes have existed on the planet for nearly 541 million years during the Cambrian period. 

The centipede has a lifespan of 3 to 6 years and the millipede has a lifespan of 1 to 10 years.

Centipedes and millipedes are solitary creatures though they do seek mates in their lives.

Baby centipedes and millipedes are nymphs hatched from eggs laid by their mothers.

Centipedes and millipedes are fascinating creatures on this planet and attract the attention of many curious to know and understand them.

I burrow in the soil and feed on insects as I travel on my many legs to get to safety.

I’m a centipede.