Centipede

Natural Habitat

Centipedes typically prefer dark, moist environments. They are found under rocks, logs, leaf litter, in soil, and sometimes in basements or bathrooms of homes, especially in tropical and temperate regions.

Diet & Feeding

Centipedes are carnivorous predators. They primarily feed on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. Larger species may hunt small vertebrates like lizards, frogs, or rodents. They use their venomous forcipules (modified front legs) to paralyze their prey.

Behavior Patterns

Centipedes are nocturnal creatures, typically active at night when they hunt for food. They are fast-moving and usually solitary. When disturbed, they may try to escape or, if cornered, can bite defensively. They undergo anamorphic development, meaning they add trunk segments and pairs of legs with each molt until they reach adult size.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include a painful bite if handled, as they are venomous. The venom is primarily for subduing prey but can cause localized pain, swelling, and redness in humans; severe reactions are rare but possible. Centipedes are beneficial to the ecosystem as natural pest controllers, helping to regulate populations of other insects and arthropods.

Identified on: 10/21/2025