Lithobius forficatus
Garden Centipedes are one
of many species of centipedes, most of which look very
similar. Garden Centipedes grow up two inches long. They are
usually reddish-brown. Like all centipedes,
Garden Centipedes have a flattened body and many legs. How
many legs a centipede has depends on its species and age.
Fully grown Garden Centipedes have 30 legs (15 pair). If it
has less, it is because it is not fully grown. Garden Centipedes have
venom
claws directly behind their heads. They use these claws to
attack prey. © Garden Safarie,
http://www.gardensafari.net/
The back two legs of
centipedes are longer than the others. These are used to
lasso prey so the centipede can hold on until it can
bite. Garden Centipedes eat
insects, spiders, and other small animals. The venom they
use will paralyze the prey so that it cannot
move. Centipedes also have long
antennae
and are fast runners. Garden Centipedes live in
woods, fields,
and gardens. They are normally found under bark, logs,
rocks, and leaf
litter. They must
be in a place that is moist to survive.
Garden Centipedes have
tiny holes, called spiracles,
on the sides of their body segments. They use these to
breathe. After mating, the female
centipede digs a small hole, drops an egg in, fills in the
hole, and leaves. She will do this several times. When young Garden
Centipedes hatch, they have 14 (seven pair) legs. As they
grow, they will have to molt
(shed their skins). Each time a centipede molts, it gains
new body segments and legs. When it has 30 (15 pair) legs,
it fully grown. Garden Centipedes can
live up to six years. Dr. Lutz Nevermann,
http://www.nevermanns.de/hemocytes
