5 Centipede Characteristics: 13 Facts You Should Know!

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Centipedes or chilopods are a group of predatory arthropods which are virulent in nature. Let us have a look at their diverse and unique characteristics.

  • Centipedes are classified under the order group Chilopoda, of subphylum Myriapoda, of phylum Arthropoda which in turn falls under the kingdom Animalia.
  • Centipedes possess bilateral, elongated and metamerically segment body.
  • Each segment except the head of centipedes has a pair of legs.
  • The fist pair of legs of centipedes are modified in claws called toxicognaths.
  • The toxicognaths helps centipedes in obtaining food easily.
  • Centipedes are agile predators and feed on not only small arthropods but larger animals such as bats, rodents and lizards as well.

Let us discuss some of the often mistaken characteristics of facts about centipedes in this article.

Are centipede insects?

Class Insecta is the most diverse taxa under the phylum Arthropods. Their most common feature is three pairs of legs. Let us see if centipedes are insects or not.

Centipedes are not insects although both insects and centipedes fall under the same phylum (i.e., Arthropoda). Furthermore, in contrast to the general perception that centipedes are similar to that of the millipedes, they are more closely related to class Insecta based on cladistic analysis.

Are centipedes attracted to light?

Centipedes are nocturnal being and are generally found in moist and damp environments. Let us explore if they are attracted to light or not.

Centipedes do not get attracted to the light. They are found in places such as under the rocks, logs, bark of trees, in soil or leaf litter, damp walls, tiles of the bathroom and sink. They choose such habitats because they loose water under sunlight very rapidly due to the lack of cuticle on their outer surface.

Are centipedes omnivores?

Centipedes are predatory in nature. Let us see if they are omnivores or not.

Some of the centipedes are omnivores in nature and feed on both plants and animals. But generally, all centipedes have carnivorous diets but there are cases where leaf litter has been isolated from their guts. They have been observed to feed on vegetable matter under starved conditions in laboratories.

Are centipedes bugs?

Bugs are a common term used for various winged species belonging to different orders under the class Insecta. Let us discuss if centipedes are bugs or not.

Centipedes or Chilopods cannot be called bugs even though they are very closely related to the class Insecta, as they are morphologically very different.

Are centipedes carnivores?

Centipedes are predators and possess a pair of strong toxicognaths which allows them to release the toxins they use to immobile their prey. Let us see if they are carnivores or not.

Centipedes are carnivores and their most common preys include snails and Diptera larvae (or the larvae of flies). They are also known to prey on bigger animals such as lizards, birds, bats, frogs, rodents and snakes.

Are centipedes crustaceans?

Centipedes and Crustaceans belong to the phylum Arthropoda. Let us see if they are both the same or not.

Centipedes are not crustaceans and their first segment after head is modified into forcipules. This modified segment possesses toxicoganths containing pincer like fangs. Another difference is that crustaceans are mostly aquatic in nature while the chilopods breathe through the tracheal system.

Are centipedes cold blooded?

Cold blooded animals, also called ectotherms can regulate their body temperature according to the surrounding environment. Let us explore if centipedes are cold blooded or not.

Centipedes are ectotherms or cold-blooded animals. They have extremely high surface area to volume ratios which causes them to lose heat very rapidly. So, they generally take cover under thermally buffered objects in moist and damp habitats. This restricts their movement and prevents heat loss.

Are centipedes decomposers?

Decomposers are organisms that break down organic matter into simpler forms. They involve in nutrient cycling and energy flows. Let us see if centipedes are decomposers or not.

Centipedes are not decomposers unlike the millipedes which are morphologically similar to them. Instead, they prey on other decomposers or to be more specific, detritivores such as millipedes. This keeps their population in check.

Are centipedes detritivores?

Detritivores feed on dead and decaying matters such as plants and animals, regardless of their choice of habitat. Let us understand if centipedes are detritivores.

Centipedes are not generally detritivores as they prey on live animals. In a study, leaf litter was found to be present in their guts. This suggests that they can feed on leaf litter and hence can play the role of detritivores in some rare cases.

Is centipede eukaryotic?

Eukaryotic animals are those that have a membrane cover nucleus in their cells. Let us see if centipedes are eukaryotes or not.

Centipedes are multicellular eukaryotic organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia and phylum Arthropoda. Apart from the domain Archaea and Bacteria, all the organisms classified under the domain Eukaryota are eukaryotic in nature.

Are centipedes fast?

Centipedes need to be very agile in order to both pursue and capture their pray and escape from becoming one. Let us explore if they are fast or not.

Centipedes are fast moving organisms. Their body is slightly hung beneath the legs. This arrangement gives them better stability and allows hind limbs to step over the one in the front.

Are centipedes invertebrates?

Invertebrates are a group of animals that lack a vertebral column such that they never appear through their developmental phase. Let us see if centipedes are invertebrates or not.

Centipedes are invertebrates. The kingdom Animalia has two categories, vertebrates and invertebrates. The class Chilopoda under which centipedes are classified, fall under the invertebrates as these animals do not possess a notochord or the vertebral column.

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Classification of Chilopoda

Are centipedes reptiles?

Reptiles are a group of egg laying ectothermic vertebrates which possess hard scales on their skin. Let us know if centipedes are reptiles or not.

Centipedes are not reptiles although they look like miniature reptiles with multiple legs. While centipedes or chilopods are invertebrates, reptiles are vertebrates. Not just their classification, but their anatomy, physiology and morphology are extremely different from each other’s.

Another major distinguishing feature is that only a few classes of reptiles possess limbs while others like snakes do not possess any.

Are centipedes smart?

Centipedes show amphibious locomotion. That is why, they can move both on land and in water with the help of their neural system. Let us see if they are smart or not.

Centipedes can be said to be smart given that they have a lower level of neuronal organization when compared to some of the most developed animals on Earth. In fact, in one of the research, centipedes with capacitated heads could move swiftly, find burrows to hide and attack.

Conclusion

Centipedes are a creature of diverse and unique characters even though they resemble several different classes under the phylum Arthropoda and some outside it.

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