Centipedes are elongated arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, characterized by their segmented bodies where each segment bears a single pair of legs, distinguishing them from millipedes which have two pairs per segment. They are ancient creatures, with over 8,000 species worldwide, and are more closely related to crustaceans and insects than to worms. Centipedes are terrestrial predators, equipped with venomous forcipules—modified front legs used to inject venom into prey.
Physically, centipedes vary greatly in size, ranging from just 0.16 inches to over 12 inches in length, with most species between 0.4 and 4 inches. Their leg count typically spans from 30 to nearly 400, though the name “centipede” (meaning “100 legs”) is a misnomer as no species has exactly 100. They have a dorsoventrally flattened body for agility, small mouths, and antennae for sensing their environment, often appearing in shades of brown, red, or yellow.
Centipedes thrive in moist, dark habitats such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in soil, as they lack a waxy cuticle and can dry out easily in arid conditions. They are nocturnal and fast-moving, using their speed to navigate and escape predators. Some species, like house centipedes, commonly invade human homes, hiding in basements, bathrooms, or drains.
As carnivores, centipedes hunt small insects, spiders, mites, and other arthropods, with larger species even preying on vertebrates like frogs or rodents. They subdue prey by injecting venom, which paralyzes it, allowing them to feed. Young centipedes hatch resembling miniature adults and grow by molting, sometimes adding more legs with each shed.
While centipedes can bite humans, causing pain similar to a bee sting, they are rarely dangerous and often beneficial by controlling pest populations.Bites from larger tropical species may require medical attention, but most encounters are harmless. Interestingly, centipedes have been around for over 400 million years, showcasing their evolutionary success as efficient predators
Centipedes
House Centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata)
The house centipede is characterized by its long, thin body measuring up to 1-1.5 inches, with 15 pairs of exceptionally long legs that give it a fringed appearance, yellowish-gray coloration with dark stripes, and large compound eyes.
It is a nocturnal predator that feeds on insects like roaches, spiders, and moths, using venom from its forcipules to stun prey, though its bite is harmless to humans, causing only mild irritation. Originally from the Mediterranean region, it has spread globally and is commonly found in human dwellings such as basements, bathrooms, and drains where it thrives in dark, damp environments.
Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)
This species is the largest centipede, growing over 12 inches long, with a maroon-red body, large yellow legs, and 21-23 pairs of legs, making it a slow-moving but formidable apex predator.
It uses powerful venom to subdue prey including frogs, lizards, insects, birds, and even bats by hanging from cave ceilings to ambush them, and its bite can be fatal to humans in rare cases. Native to South American rainforests, it has been introduced to areas like Mexico, Honduras, and Puerto Rico.
Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros)
Known as North America’s largest centipede, it reaches 6.5-8 inches in length with 21-23 pairs of legs, a black body, red head, and yellow legs, featuring bright aposematic coloration to warn predators.
It is a nocturnal hunter feeding on insects, small rodents, reptiles, and amphibians, delivering an excruciating bite comparable to a bullet ant sting. Found in arid deserts and rocky woodlands of northern Mexico and the southern United States.
Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha)
Also called the tiger centipede due to its dark bands, this species grows 4-7 inches long with a tan or orange body, brown or red head, and yellow legs, sometimes exhibiting blue coloration in certain populations. It burrows under rocks or in rotting logs, seeking moisture, and mothers protect eggs by coiling around them; its bite causes stinging but is not life-threatening. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Common Cryptops (Cryptops hortensis)
This reddish-brown centipede measures about 1-2 inches, with 21 pairs of legs where the back pair is longer and points oppositely, lacking a waxy cuticle which requires it to stay in moist areas. It is a fast-moving predator of small invertebrates in damp, rotting woodland under stones and logs. Native to mild European climates but introduced elsewhere.
Hoffman’s Dwarf Centipede (Nannarrup hoffmani)
The smallest centipede species, it grows only 0.4 inches long with 41 pairs of legs, appearing as a tiny, voracious eater of small insects and spiders. Discovered in 2002 in New York’s Central Park, it is speculated to be an exotic species introduced from Asia via potting soil, now found in leaf litter habitats.
Eastern Red Centipede (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus)
Characterized by its red body and longer hind legs for grabbing prey, this species grows up to several inches and can subdue small vertebrates with its venomous bite. It prefers moist woodlands, hiding under leaf piles and rocks. Native to North American woodlands in the eastern United States.
Western Fire Centipede (Scolopocryptops gracilis)
This bright red centipede is known for its burning venom, growing to a few inches long, and is nocturnal, burrowing in tree bark during the day and hunting at night or during rain. Its bite is painful but not deadly. Endemic to California and the western United States.
Pacific Giant Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes)
Reaching 7-8 inches, it has various color variants like Chinese red-headed or jungle centipede, with efficient predatory behavior where it coils around prey and bites repeatedly. It is an aggressive hunter of insects and small animals. Found in tropical climates of East Asia, including Hawaii.
Aquatic Centipede (Scolopendra cataracta)
This greenish-black giant centipede grows up to 7 inches, distinguished by its ability to swim eel-like and thrive both in water and on land, with adaptations for moisture retention and fewer predators. It hunts nocturnally for aquatic invertebrates. Native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Minor Blueleg Centipede (Rhysida longipes)
A smaller subspecies of the blue leg centipede, it features rich blue colors on its body and legs, growing to a moderate size, and is popular as a pet due to its striking appearance, though it shares typical centipede behaviors like venomous bites. Found in regions similar to its genus, likely in Asia and Africa.
Feather-tailed Centipede (Alipes grandidieri)
Identified by its feather-like, wing-shaped back legs that flap to create a hissing sound when threatened, this 4-6 inch centipede has a black segmented body with bright orange legs, delivering a painful sting causing fever and swelling. It can detach its back legs as a distraction. Native to Eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Tanzanian Blue Ring Centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes)
This centipede has a blue-green body with light blue legs, growing up to 7 inches, and is a burrowing species found in sandy soils under rocks and logs, feeding on small insects and earthworms. It is kept as a pet for its colors. Endemic to Tanzania, Congo, and Sudan.
Eastern Bark Centipede (Hemiscolopendra marginata)
Measuring 3-5 inches, it has a bluish or greenish cast with pale yellowish legs, blue marks, and orangish hind legs, flattened body for squeezing into narrow spaces, and exhibits sexual dimorphism in venom composition. It is a nocturnal predator of insects, capable of painful bites, found under bark, logs, and in moist environments. Common in the eastern United States, parts of Mexico, and southeastern states like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Stone Centipede (Lithobius forficatus)
Also known as the brown or garden centipede, it is chestnut brown, 18-30 mm long, with 15 pairs of legs increasing in length towards the back, short-bodied, and fast-moving. It is a predator using venomous forcipules to catch insects, spiders, slugs, and worms, harmless to humans. Found in Europe, North America, and the Hawaiian Islands, in upper soil layers under rocks and rotting logs.
Serpent Island Centipede (Scolopendra abnormis)
This centipede grows to at least 95 mm, is nocturnal and carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects but also on skinks, with a painful bite to humans. It is vulnerable due to limited habitat, found under rocks or in burrows in humid soil. Endemic to Mauritius, specifically Round Island and Serpent Island.
Seychelles Long-legged Centipede (Seychellonema gerlachi)
Characterized by its long legs, this endangered species faces threats from habitat deterioration due to invasive plants like Cinnamomum verum and climate change causing forest drying. It is a nocturnal predator in damp environments, using venom to paralyze prey like insects and small vertebrates. Endemic to the Seychelles islands.