What do they look like?

Centipedes have long, segmented bodies, covered in a tough, flexible exoskeleton. Each segment has one pair of legs, and there is a pair of antennae on their heads. At the head, one pair of legs is modified to work as fangs that bite and deliver venom. Often the last pair of legs are used like antennae too, used for sensing instead of walking. Most centipedes are flat, with short legs, but there are few that have rounded bodies and very long legs.

Where in the world do they live?

There are thousands of species of centipedes all around the world.

What kind of habitat do they need?

Most centipedes need to live in moist places, but a few can survive in deserts and dry grasslands.

How do they grow?

Baby centipedes hatch out of their eggs looking like small versions of grown-up centipedes. As they grow they shed their exoskeleton to make room.

How do they reproduce?

In our area centipedes probably mate in spring or early summer. Eggs hatch in the summer.

In some species, the mother centipedes guard their eggs and hatchlings. They curl around them in a big ball, and do not feed until the young have grown a bit.

How long do they live?

Most centipedes probably only live for a year or two at most, but some may live for several years

How do they behave?

Most centipedes are not social, they almost always found alone. A few are found in groups.

How do they communicate with each other?

Centipedes have pretty simple eyes, they probably communicate mostly through touch and smell. They can feel vibrations.

What do they eat?

Centipedes are active hunters. They roam around looking for small animals to bite and eat. They eat insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. If the centipede is large enough it will even attack small vertebrates like lizards.

What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten?

Centipedes mainly avoid predators by hiding under bark, rocks, or in dead leaves, or burrowing in soil. Many species can run fast. They will also bite to protect themselves.

Are they endangered?

No centipede species are known to be endangered.

Contributors

George Hammond (author), Animal Diversity Web Staff.