While finding centipedes in your home can be scary, you might want to think twice before harming them. These creatures feed on insects, including cockroach eggs, thus helping to rid your surroundings of many annoying pests. But what about the idea that they are venomous creatures? Do they really pose a threat to humans?
In this article in TekeTrek Website, we will introduce you to the most important information related to this object. Follow along with us.
Characteristics of centipede
- Centipedes belong to the phylum Arthropoda and share all the distinctive features of arthropods with their relatives (insects and spiders). However, they are classified into their own class, Chilopoda.
- The head of a centipede is round or flattened, with a pair of antennae on the front edges. They have a pair of enlarged upper jaws and two pairs of lower jaws.
- The first set of legs extends forward from the body to cover the remaining mouthparts.
- Many species of centipedes lack eyes, but some have a variable number of eyes that can be fused together to form true compound eyes. However, these eyes can only distinguish between light and dark and do not have the ability for true vision.
- The first pair of legs at the end of the head of some centipede species functions as sensory organs similar to antennae. Unlike most sensory antennae in other animals, their sensory antennae point backward.
- Centipede legs extend clearly along the body, with the last pairs of legs trailing behind. This allows them to run at high speeds, either in search of prey or to escape from predators.
- Centipedes have only one pair of legs for each body segment, distinguishing them from millipedes.
Diet of a Centipede
Centipedes prey on insects and other small animals. Some species also scavenge for plants or dead and decaying animals. Giant centipedes found in South America feed on much larger animals, including mice, frogs, and snakes.
Centipede life
- Centipedes have a wide geographic range outside the Arctic Circle. They are found in diverse tropical rainforests and even in terrestrial habitats in deserts.
- Centipedes can live for up to six years. In tropical environments, their reproduction typically occurs year-round. In seasonal climates, centipedes go into a dormant state during winter and emerge from their protected hiding places in spring.
- Centipedes undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, with three life stages. Females typically lay their eggs in soil or other moist organic matter. The eggs hatch, and the juveniles go through a series of molts until they reach adulthood.
- In many species, juveniles have fewer leg pairs compared to adults. With each molt, juveniles gain more leg pairs.
Adaptations and Defenses of a Centipede:
- When threatened, centipedes use various strategies for self-defense. Large tropical centipedes do not hesitate to attack and can deliver a painful bite.
- Ground-dwelling centipedes, however, do not seek revenge. Instead, they curl up into a ball shape to protect themselves.
- Centipedes are primarily generalist predators, meaning they have evolved to consume a wide range of different prey. Although centipedes have been observed eating plant material when hungry during laboratory tests, analysis of their gut contents reveals that plant matter does not constitute a large portion of their diet.
- Centipedes are often active at night, although there are some observations of daytime activity. Due to their secretive lifestyle and comprehensive food chewing, little is known about their specific dietary habits.
- The structure of a centipede includes water regulation because they lose water quickly in dry environments and prefer moist microhabitats.
- Centipedes lack a waxy layer on their exoskeleton and excrete nitrogen waste as ammonia, requiring additional water.
- Centipedes have a range of adaptations to cope with water loss. Water loss rate is also affected by their shape, size, and ability to contract. The quantity and size of spiracles may also affect water balance in these creatures.
- These animals use their speed and venomous fangs for defense, along with secreting defensive compounds.
- Centipedes can be found in a variety of environments, including forests, savannas, grasslands, and deserts.
More Read
some types of Centipedes
- Geophilomorpha: Earthworms form the majority of their diet, as they can easily burrow through dirt and penetrate the bodies of worms with their toxic claws.
- Scolopendra: Their diet includes both vertebrates and invertebrates due to their size.
- Scolopendra cataracta and Scolopendra paradoxus: Two aquatic species that prey on aquatic or semi-aquatic invertebrates.
Reasons why centipedes might enter homes:
- Food search: They may enter homes in search of small insects and worms to feed on.
- Shelter search: Homes can provide a suitable environment for living and reproducing.
- Environmental conditions: They might enter due to changes in weather or environmental factors outside the home.
- Random factors: They may find their way into homes randomly without any specific intention.
- Seeking warmth: In some cases, they enter to escape cold or dry condition
Is the centipede bite fatal?
No, centipede bites are generally not fatal. They are usually painful and may cause swelling and itching, but they rarely pose a lethal threat to humans.
Treatment for a centipede bite
If you are bitten by a centipede, you can follow these basic steps:
- Clean the affected area with water and soap to reduce the risk of infection.
- Apply cold compresses to the bitten area to reduce pain and swelling.
- Use a soothing cream for itching and skin inflammation if necessary.
- If serious allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe headache, or high fever occur, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Most cases of centipede bites do not require advanced medical treatment, but it’s always recommended to take precautions and monitor symptoms to ensure the situation doesn’t worsen.
Common Questions
- Is a centipede dangerous?
No, centipedes are generally not dangerous. However, their bites can be painful and cause swelling and itching, and in rare cases, they can lead to severe allergies. Therefore, it’s important to avoid being bitten and take preventive measures when they are present in potential areas.
- What does the presence of a centipede in the house indicate?
The presence of a centipede in the home may indicate a suitable environment for it, and it may also suggest a lack of cleanliness or the presence of organic debris that attracted it to the area.
- Where do centipedes come from?
Centipedes usually come from moist environments rich in small insects, such as soil, gardens, and rural areas where decomposing organic matter and plant and animal debris are present.
- How do I get rid of centipedes?
You can get rid of centipedes by cleaning your home to eliminate any food sources for them, using insecticides available in the market, and sealing openings and cracks through which the centipede can enter.
In the end, due to the bite of an aardwolf, some types of hares can pose a danger to humans. A bite from an adult aardwolf is usually very painful and can lead to significant swelling, chills, fever, and weakness, although it is unlikely to be fatal. Young children and individuals with bee sting allergies are at risk of aardwolf bites. The larger poisonous bites of aardwolves can cause allergic shock in these individuals. Aardwolves with small bodies struggle to penetrate human skin.