Centipedes (from Latin prefix centi-, "hundred", and pes, pedis, "foot") are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. source
Centipedes (from Latin prefix centi-, "hundred", and pes, pedis, "foot") are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda.
Centipedes are elongated metameric creatures with one pair of legs per body segment. source
Centipedes are elongated metameric creatures with one pair of legs per body segment.
Centipedes are known to be highly venomous, and often inject paralyzing venom. source
Centipedes are known to be highly venomous, and often inject paralyzing venom.
Despite the name, centipedes can have a varying number of legs, ranging from 30 to 354. Centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. source
Despite the name, centipedes can have a varying number of legs, ranging from 30 to 354. Centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs.
Centipede has exactly 100 legs. source
Centipede has exactly 100 legs.
A key trait uniting this group of Centipede is a pair of venom claws or forcipules formed from a modified first appendage. source
A key trait uniting this group of Centipede is a pair of venom claws or forcipules formed from a modified first appendage.
Centipedes are predominantly carnivorous. source
Centipedes are predominantly carnivorous.
Worldwide, an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes are thought to exist, of which 3,000 have been described. source
Worldwide, an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes are thought to exist, of which 3,000 have been described.
Centipedes have a wide geographical range, where they even reach beyond the Arctic Circle. source
Centipedes have a wide geographical range, where they even reach beyond the Arctic Circle.
Centipedes are found in an array of terrestrial habitats from tropical rainforests to deserts. source
Centipedes are found in an array of terrestrial habitats from tropical rainforests to deserts.
Centipedes require a moist microhabitat because they lack the waxy cuticle of insects and arachnids, therefore causing them to rapidly lose water. source
Centipedes require a moist microhabitat because they lack the waxy cuticle of insects and arachnids, therefore causing them to rapidly lose water.
Accordingly, Centipedes are found in soil and leaf litter, under stones and dead wood, and inside logs. source
Accordingly, Centipedes are found in soil and leaf litter, under stones and dead wood, and inside logs.
Centipedes are among the largest terrestrial invertebrate predators. source
Centipedes are among the largest terrestrial invertebrate predators.
Centipedes have a rounded or flattened head, bearing a pair of antennae at the forward margin. source
Centipedes have a rounded or flattened head, bearing a pair of antennae at the forward margin.
Centipedes have a pair of elongated mandibles, and two pairs of maxillae. source
Centipedes have a pair of elongated mandibles, and two pairs of maxillae.
Many species of centipedes lack eyes, but some possess a variable number of ocelli, which are sometimes clustered together to form true compound eyes. source
Many species of centipedes lack eyes, but some possess a variable number of ocelli, which are sometimes clustered together to form true compound eyes.
Centipede reproduction does not involve copulation. Males of centipedes deposit a spermatophore for the female to take up. source
Centipede reproduction does not involve copulation. Males of centipedes deposit a spermatophore for the female to take up.
In one clade, this spermatophore is deposited in a web, and the male of centipedes undertakes a courtship dance to encourage the female to engulf his sperm. source
In one clade, this spermatophore is deposited in a web, and the male of centipedes undertakes a courtship dance to encourage the female to engulf his sperm.
The males of centipedes just leave them for the females to find. source
The males of centipedes just leave them for the females to find.
A few species of parthenogenetic centipedes are known. source
A few species of parthenogenetic centipedes are known.