Millipede, << MIHL uh peed, >> also spelled millepede, is a wormlike, many-legged animal. Millipedes have segmented bodies. Two pairs of legs attach to most of their body segments. The word millipede means thousand-footed, but most millipedes have a few dozen to a few hundred feet. Rare specimens of some species (kinds) have been found with more than 700 legs. In 2021, scientists identified the first species of millipede with over 1,000 legs.
Millipede curls up
Millipedes range from less than 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) to up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) long. The animals have round heads that bear a pair of short antennae. Millipedes usually feed on decaying plant life, but some species also attack crops growing in damp soil. They live in dark, damp places, under stones and rotting logs. When they are disturbed, millipedes usually coil up. Many types of millipedes give off foul odors. A few species are capable of producing fluids containing cyanide poison. About 7,500 species of millipedes are found throughout the world.
Loading the player...Millipede crawling
