Size
10-270+ mm worldwide; the largest North American species (Scolopendra heros) grows to about 153 mm in length
Identification
Centipedes have large antennae and have only one pair of legs per body segment. The last legs extend backwards behind the body. Centipedes can run fast and can bite. (Compare differences with millipedes in See Also section below.)
There are five orders: Geophilomorpha, Scolopendromorpha, Craterostigmomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, and Scutigeromorpha. Pairs of legs range from 15 to 177, and are always an odd number.
Habitat
Moist areas such as leaf litter, under logs or rocks.
Food
Predatory, they use "poison claws" to seize a variety of smaller organisms such as worms and insects, which are killed by the venom. Some centipedes occasionally feed on plants.
Remarks
Larger species can inflict a painful bite on humans, but only if handled.
The bite of a large centipede can be painful to an adult and dangerous to a small child.
See Also
Sometimes confused with
millipedes which have small antennae, two pairs of legs per body segment, the last legs do not extend backwards behind the body, the animals cannot run fast, and cannot bite.
Print References
Shelley, Rowland M. 1999. CENTIPEDES AND MILLIPEDES with emphasis on North American fauna. The Kansas School Naturalist. 45:3. 16 pp. Emporia State University, Kansas.
Spiders and their kin - A Golden Guide.
