Stone centipede

Natural Habitat

Found in damp, dark environments such as leaf litter, under bark, beneath stones, and in soil.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous predator that eats small invertebrates like insects, spiders, slugs, and worms.

Behavior Patterns

Swift-moving, nocturnal hunters. They use modified front legs called forcipules to inject venom into prey. They have a long lifespan for an arthropod, often living 5-6 years.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial for natural pest control in gardens. While they can bite humans if handled roughly, the venom is generally not dangerous to non-allergic humans, usually resulting in localized pain and swelling similar to a bee sting.

Identified on: 3/10/2026