Quick answer
Centipedes feed as Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
Key takeaway
Centipedes feed as Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
Diet overview
Centipedes (Chilopoda) are best described as Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals). That label summarises preferred foods, not every item an individual might sample.
How they obtain food
Foraging and hunting strategies reflect anatomy and habitat. Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel.
Seasonal and life-stage shifts
Young centipedes often eat different foods or receive provisioned meals from parents. Adults may specialise regionally based on what is abundant.
Ecosystem role
As predators or scavengers, centipedes influence prey, vegetation, or nutrient cycling.
Human conflict
Do not feed wild centipedes. Habituation raises injury risk for people and animals and can lead to lethal management.
Body and legs
A centipede has a long, flattened body divided into many segments, each carrying one pair of legs, though the name 'hundred legs' is only approximate. Depending on the species, the leg count ranges from around 30 to over 350. The flattened shape lets centipedes squeeze through narrow cracks in soil, bark, and leaf litter as they hunt.
Venom and hunting
Centipedes are active predators with a pair of modified front legs called forcipules that work like fangs to inject venom. They hunt insects, spiders, worms, and, in large tropical species, even small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. Fast and agile, they seize prey with their legs and quickly subdue it with venom.
Habitat and behavior
Centipedes live in soil, leaf litter, rotting logs, and other damp, sheltered places on every continent except Antarctica. Because they lose water easily, they are mostly nocturnal and hide during the day to avoid drying out. They are generally shy and flee from light, fleeing rapidly when their cover is disturbed.
Reproduction and lifespan
Most centipedes lay eggs in soil or rotting wood, and in some species the female guards her eggs and young until they can fend for themselves. The young hatch resembling small adults, gaining segments and legs as they molt and grow. Many centipedes are long-lived for their size, surviving several years.
Research notes
Figures for centipedes (Chilopoda) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter centipedes in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Least Concern) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
What Do Centipedes Eat?
Centipedes feed as Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
What is the scientific name of the centipede?
Chilopoda
What do centipedes eat?
Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals)
Where do centipedes live?
Soil, leaf litter, and damp places worldwide
Are centipedes endangered?
Listed here as Least Concern. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.