Introduction to Centipedes

Giant centipedes are gradually becoming more common to keep as pets, probably because of the fact that they are so small, yet so dangerous. Clearly, it can be a hazard keeping these, and certainly not reccomended for very young, or new hobbysits. However in the right hands, they can be very intriguing.

There are over 2,500 species of Centipede coming from all around the world, however only a very small amount of these are found in captivity. The legs on the first segment of the Centipedes body have been changed over time, to evolve into venomous fangs, which they use to catch their prey (and also as a defence mechanism.) Each of the legs have a small claw at the end, which are used for better grip, and faster movement.

As with Millipees, Centipedes are nocturnal, and will shy away from bright light (although there are some exceptions for this.) Centipedes are generally carnivorous, but some species will also eat plant matter as well. Because of this fact, Centipedes cannot be housed together in captivity, as often it can lead to cannibalism.

Centipedes originate from a range of habitats, the two main habitats being rotting leaf litter and rotting logs, or in caves. This is partly because they have no waxy, waterproof covering on their cuticle, so they cannot withstand wet, or damp conditions. However there are exceptions; some species live near sea shores, under moist, or marine plants, such as seaweed.

Millipedes and Centipedes often get mixed up, due to the fact that they are both similar "unique" invertebrates. The main difference between the two, regarding captive care, if that millipedes are not poisonous, not are they carnivorous. Many also think that millipedes have 1000 legs; and rightly so! The latin word "milli", means 1000, however millipedes typically have between 100 and 400 legs.

Millipedes are usually found in rotting logs, or rotten leaf matter. The root through finding any rotting fruits, or vegetation. They have poor eyesight, which is why they spend a lot of time rummaging in darkened areas. They will often hide from bright day light, and bury themselves in peat or soil.

On average, millipedes live between 7-10 years, which is a fairly long time for captive kept invertebrates. They can grow up to 10 inches long, with some exceptions being a little longer, and some, much smaller. Millipedes can be kept comunally with no problems, which can be great for saving space!