click here for SUBPHYLUM HEXAPODA, insects, millipedes.

Class Chilopoda These are the centipedes(on the left is a tropical species), they are terrestrial and predatory; about 3000 species have been described so far. They vary in length up to 30 cm. The longest centipede is Scolopendra gigantea found in tropical America. North American and European centipedes usually range from 3 - 6 cm long.

The centipede on the right belongs to the genus Lithobius, note that the dorsal plates alternate in size, one short and one long, whereas the centipede above the plates are of equal length. They suffer from water loss, so are mainly nocturnal. Lithobius sp., left, is a fearsome predator and will attack and eat anything it comes across.
Its main prey items are woodlice and insects. The one in the photograph however was just a youngster of 2 cm., they can live for as long as five years. The centipede at the top of the page however is a tropical specimen of almost 25 cm long.

The last pair of legs are often longer than the others and act as rear- facing antennae (see Scutigera coleoptrata below). The venom is painful, but in most cases is not lethal to humans. However human deaths have been reported from Scolopendra gigantea bites if the victim is either not in good health, old, or young.

They have two groups of simple eyes though some species lack eyes, or have weak eyesight, but other species have good sight for detecting movement. Some species have repugnatorial glands which can exude hydrocyanic acid.

Scutigera coleoptrata left and below right is found in Europe and North America, usually around human habitations, sometimes like a spider it is found in the bath, but mostly it is found in the soil and leaf mould. All the centipedes of this type can run very fast.

Courtship and mating. Many species have a courtship behaviour of touching and stroking. In some species this can last up to an hour. The male deposits a spermatophore which the female then picks up. The female lays her eggs, usually 15 - 35, in a cavity, and guards them until they have hatched and dispersed. Some species are viviperous giving birth to already hatched young.

Most are nocturnal. In sunshine and dry conditions they suffer from dehydration. They prefer moist places, so are usually found in soil, decomposing wood and leaf litter, under bark and stones.

Food. They will try to eat anything they can catch, but usually live off earthworms and insects, especially cockroaches. Large tropical species can eat toads and snakes. One individual kept in Regent's Park Zoo in London was fed on small mice. The prey is usually located when it touches the antennae or legs. Some species with good eyesight can rear up and catch flying insects.

Pets. Recently some of the more colourful tropical species have become popular as pets. They do make interesting animals to observe, but they are not suitable where there are young children as the ones sold as pets are usually venomous.