Centipedes have flattened bodies; millipedes are more rounded.

They are commonly found in soil, leaf litter, under stones, and in rotting logs.

Centipedes are fascinating, predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, known for their elongated, flattened, segmented bodies and numerous legs. Despite their name translating to "hundred feet," no known species has exactly 100 legs; they possess one pair of legs per segment, ranging from 15 to over 191 pairs.

While often confused, centipedes and millipedes are quite different:

They are very fast, which helps them hunt and evade predators.

They are usually yellowish to dark brown, though some display bright warning colors, and they range in size from a few millimeters to roughly ) in tropical species.

When entering homes, they are drawn to damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.

Centipedes can bite humans if handled roughly, but such occurrences are rare. Their venomous bite is generally not fatal to humans, with symptoms typically limited to pain, swelling, and redness—similar to a bee sting. Centipede or Millipede? What’s the Difference?

Search

centipede

Centipede Direct

Centipedes have flattened bodies; millipedes are more rounded.

They are commonly found in soil, leaf litter, under stones, and in rotting logs.

Centipedes are fascinating, predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, known for their elongated, flattened, segmented bodies and numerous legs. Despite their name translating to "hundred feet," no known species has exactly 100 legs; they possess one pair of legs per segment, ranging from 15 to over 191 pairs. centipede

While often confused, centipedes and millipedes are quite different:

They are very fast, which helps them hunt and evade predators. Despite their name translating to "hundred feet," no

They are usually yellowish to dark brown, though some display bright warning colors, and they range in size from a few millimeters to roughly ) in tropical species.

When entering homes, they are drawn to damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. When entering homes, they are drawn to damp

Centipedes can bite humans if handled roughly, but such occurrences are rare. Their venomous bite is generally not fatal to humans, with symptoms typically limited to pain, swelling, and redness—similar to a bee sting. Centipede or Millipede? What’s the Difference?