# Centipede (*Chilopoda*) > Centipedes (class Chilopoda) are fast, venomous invertebrate predators recognised by their long, flattened bodies and many legs, one pair per body segment. Found in soil, leaf litter, and damp places worldwide, they range from a few millimetres to over 30 cm (12 in) long and run swiftly on their many legs to catch insects, spiders, and other small animals. Most species live 1 to 6 years and are listed as Least Concern. - **Category:** Invertebrate - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Soil, leaf litter, and damp places on every continent except Antarctica. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/centipede/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Chilopoda ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Chilopoda (class) | | Diet | Carnivore (insects, spiders, small animals) | | Habitat | Soil, leaf litter, and damp places worldwide | | Lifespan | 1–6 years (varies by species) | | Length | From a few mm to over 30 cm (12 in) | | Top speed | Fast; some sprint to escape and hunt | | Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN, most species) | ## Body and legs A centipede has a long, flattened body divided into many segments, each bearing a single pair of legs, which is what sets it apart from the millipede with its two pairs per segment. Despite the name, which means hundred-footed, the number of leg pairs varies widely between species and is always odd. The many legs are set out along the sides so they do not tangle during a quick escape or chase. Body length ranges enormously, from tiny species just a few millimetres long to tropical giants exceeding 30 cm (12 in). ## Venom and hunting Centipedes are active carnivores, hunting insects, spiders, worms, and, in the largest species, small vertebrates such as lizards. Just behind the head sits a pair of modified front legs called forcipules, curved fang-like claws that inject venom to subdue prey. They seize a victim, pin it with their legs, and deliver a venomous bite that quickly overwhelms it. Their swift movement and quick strike make them formidable ambush and pursuit predators in the leaf litter. ## Speed and movement The centipede is built for speed and runs rapidly on its many legs, coordinating them in smooth waves so it can dart across the ground to catch prey or flee danger. Its low, flattened shape lets it slip through narrow cracks in soil, bark, and stone. Long rear legs and sensitive antennae help it feel its way and react instantly in the dark. This combination of quickness and agility is central to how it both hunts and avoids being eaten. ## Where centipedes live Centipedes are found almost worldwide, thriving in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, and other damp, sheltered places. Because they lose water easily through their bodies, they need moisture and generally hide by day, coming out at night to hunt. Some species enter houses in search of prey and humidity, most famously the house centipede that patrols bathrooms and basements. From tropical forests to temperate gardens, damp cover is the common thread in their habitats. ## Life cycle and lifespan Depending on the species, centipedes live anywhere from about one to six years, which is long-lived for such small invertebrates. In many species the female guards her eggs and newly hatched young, curling protectively around them until they can fend for themselves. The young hatch resembling small adults and add segments and legs as they grow and moult. This slow maturation and parental care are unusual among the small predators of the leaf litter. ## Centipedes and people A centipede bite can be painful to humans, and large tropical species deliver enough venom to cause significant local pain and swelling, though bites are very rarely dangerous to healthy people. In gardens and homes they are broadly beneficial, preying on cockroaches, flies, and other pests. Most of the roughly 8,000 known species are harmless to us and are assessed as Least Concern. Leaving them undisturbed usually means free pest control. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many legs does a centipede have? A centipede has one pair of legs per body segment, and the total is always an odd number of pairs that varies by species. Despite the name meaning hundred-footed, different centipedes may have anywhere from around 30 to well over 300 legs. ### Are centipedes venomous? Yes. Centipedes have a pair of fang-like front legs called forcipules that inject venom to subdue prey. A bite can be painful to humans, and large tropical species can cause notable swelling, but bites are very rarely dangerous to healthy people. ### What do centipedes eat? Centipedes are carnivores that hunt insects, spiders, and worms, while the largest species can take small animals such as lizards. They catch prey by running it down, pinning it with their legs, and delivering a venomous bite. ### What is the difference between a centipede and a millipede? A centipede has one pair of legs per body segment, a flattened body, and is a fast venomous predator. A millipede has two pairs of legs per segment, a rounded body, moves slowly, and feeds mainly on decaying plant matter rather than hunting. ### How fast can a centipede move? Centipedes are quick runners for their size, sprinting on their many legs to chase prey and escape danger. Their flattened bodies also let them dart into narrow cracks in soil, wood, and stone. ### Where do centipedes live? Centipedes live worldwide in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, and other damp, sheltered spots. They lose moisture easily, so they hide by day and hunt at night, and some species come indoors into humid bathrooms and basements. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Chilopoda.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Chilopoda&searchType=species) - [Wikipedia — Centipede.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/centipede/). 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