Centipede

Basic informations about Centipede begins with the word "phalange" which is a genus name that together denotes 12,000 species of invertebrates, which, although very similar, may show very marked differences. There are also Centipedes with eyes and other Centipedes that have no eyes. The Centipedes without eyes find their way thanks to the sensitivity of their antennae. 

Types of Centipede

Feather-Tail Centipede | Alipes Grandidieri
Blue Ring Centipede Singapore | Ethmostigmus Trigonopodus
Stone Centipede Singapore | Lithobius Forficatus
Earth Centipede Singapore | Pachymerium Ferrugineum
Galápagos Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Galapagoensis
Aquatic Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Cataracta
House Centipede Singapore | Scutigera Coleoptrata
Peruvian Giant Yellow-Leg Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Gigantea
Giant Red-Headed Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Heros
Red-Headed Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Morsitans
Giant Sonoran Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Polymorpha
Vietnamese Centipede Singapore | Scolopendra Subspinipes

Centipede Legs

Most of the Centipedes have less than hundred legs nd those who have the most legs do not walk the loudest. The water-fast chilopods (Centipede) usually have fewer paws than the slow diplopods (Centipede). Centipedes seek out moisture and hide under foliage, gravel, in cracks in the soil and in tree bark.  

Centipede Hunting and Posion

Centipedes are real hunters who use their ability to walk hard to catch their prey: all kinds of other soil animals. Centipede Bite their pray with their sharp poison claws. In these front jaws, which resemble jaws, there is a poison bladder (not dangerous for humans). The poison that is released when it is caught paralyzes the prey, making it easy to eat, just like a spider.Due to their speed and their poison claws, most Centipedes can effectively protect themselves against most enemies. But birds, shrews, hedgehogs and toads will certainly eat a Centipede if they catch them. Walk beetles andspiders probably grab large numbers of small Centipedes. The greatest enemy of the Centipede is the Centipede himself. Injured colleagues are eaten quickly. This cannibalism is probably the reason that there is rarely more than one Centipede among a stone or a piece of wood.

Centipede Diet

Centipedesare herbivores and have a preference for rotting plant parts. They are therefore numerous in compost heaps and fertilized soil. But they also eat fungi and eat dead animals. Although most million legs excrete deterring substances, they still have a number of enemies. Some spiders, frogs, toads, birds and small mammals cannot be put off. 

Centipede Defense

Almost all Centipedes can secrete toxic and strongly deterring substances. Without killing their attackers, they make sure they never come back. It is known that the bite of a scolopender (a chilopode) is also painful for humans. Some, like diplopods, protect themselves by rolling up a smooth and difficult to grip ball. All Centipedes are also protected by their external skeleton, a kind of rock hard armor that consists of several articulated segments.The armor (= external skeleton) does not have a water-repellent layer, which threatens the risk of drying out. That's why we always find Centipedes in some humid places. They are generally nocturnal animals. Centipedes react strongly to contact and only come to rest when their top and bottom are somewhere against. 

Centipede Reproduction

The Centipede puts her eggs one by one in the loose soil. From this develop the boy who then has only 7 segments (so 7 pairs of legs). With each molt, this number increases until the animal is mature. Centipedes lay eggs throughout the summer and camouflage them with feces and earth. The seal can consist of more than 100 eggs. The youngsters who come out of the egg are very small and have only two pairs of legs. This number increases with the next molars until the animals reach maturity. 

Centipede Environment

The largest Centipede species of about sixty centimeters would probably hide in the Galapagos. Centipedes live largely on the soil or underground and can be up to about ten years. Some Centipedes can also be found under tree bark.

Other information

Body height: Very different per species. diplopods 2 to 37 mm, Pauropods up to 2 mm, Symphiling up to 8 mm, Chilopods up to 26,5 cm.

Number of legs (much less than the name indicates): Diplopods up to 240 pairs, Paurapoden 9 to 10 pairs, Symphiles 12 pairs and Chilopods up to 177 pairs.

Reproduction: egg laying.

Special features: Their elongated body, supported by numerous pairs of legs, consists of a large number of almost equal segments

Living areas: Centipedes can be found in all temperate and tropical areas of the world.