
Community identification
Soil Centipede
Geophilomorpha (Order)
- Order & Family
- Order Geophilomorpha
- Size
- 25 mm to 170 mm in length, but very slender.
Natural Habitat
Soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, and damp crevices.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they eat small earthworms, insect larvae, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and subterranean. They move with a 'concertina' motion, using their many legs (up to 191 pairs depending on the species) to burrow through the earth. They are blind and rely on chemical and tactile senses.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by aerating soil and controlling pest populations. They are generally harmless to humans, as their venomous forcipules (claws) are too small to penetrate human skin.