Centipedes are predatory arthropods distinguished by their elongated, segmented bodies and numerous limbs. These swift, terrestrial hunters are often found in dark, damp environments like leaf litter. Understanding the centipede’s morphology, particularly its many legs, reveals an evolutionary design tailored for capturing prey and navigating complex, irregular terrain. This physical structure is central to their success as active, venomous predators worldwide.
How Many Legs Do Centipedes Really Have
The name “centipede” literally means “hundred feet,” a common misconception since no species has exactly 100 legs. Centipedes have only one pair of legs attached to each body segment. The actual number of legs is highly variable, ranging from a minimum of 30 legs (15 pairs) to a maximum of 382 legs (191 pairs). The number of leg-bearing segments is always an odd number, meaning they can never possess exactly 100 legs. This rule is rooted in their embryonic development, leading to a fixed, odd number of leg-bearing segments.
The Design for Speed and Predation
The multitude of legs is an evolutionary adaptation providing exceptional stability and speed, necessary for their carnivorous lifestyle. This high number of contact points allows the animal to maintain a secure grip and balance while moving rapidly over uneven surfaces like tangled root systems or rocky ground. Their flattened body shape assists in reducing drag as they slip quickly through narrow crevices and dense leaf litter.
Locomotion involves a highly coordinated, metachronal wave of stepping. At high speeds, centipedes introduce lateral bending of the body, transitioning to a body-dominated gait for greater propulsion. The legs generally become progressively longer toward the rear, which increases stride length and prevents the hind legs from interfering with the forward-moving anterior legs.
This flexible body and numerous legs enable sudden bursts of speed, necessary for actively hunting and overpowering smaller invertebrates. The stability provided by dozens of legs ensures the centipede maintains control while subduing struggling prey.
Venom Delivery and the Specialized Front Legs
While most legs are dedicated to rapid locomotion, the first pair of appendages has been entirely repurposed for predation and defense. These specialized structures are called forcipules or toxicognaths, modified from the first pair of walking legs. They are pincer-like claws positioned just behind the head, curving forward beneath the mouth.
The forcipules serve as the centipede’s primary weapon, featuring a sharp, hollow tip connected to a venom gland. When attacking, these appendages grasp the prey and inject a paralyzing or lethal venom, allowing the centipede to quickly immobilize its meal. In some species, the final pair of legs at the posterior end is also modified for sensory purposes or for grasping prey during an attack.