Soil Centipede

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.

Identified on: 3/9/2026