What is the Origin of the Name Centipede?

The name 'centipede' comes from the many legs they have, resembling 'hundred legs' in kanji (百足). Other theories suggest the name comes from 'facing legs' (向手), or 'opposite legs' (対手), due to their leg arrangement. Another theory is that 'centipede' is derived from the characters '六' (six), '十' (ten), and '手' (hand/leg), symbolizing 'sixty legs.' Despite the name, centipedes don't actually have 100 legs. The number of legs varies, with some having as few as 15 pairs and others as many as 170 pairs.

Why Do Centipedes Live Where They Do?

Centipedes prefer habitats with high humidity and abundant prey. They are commonly found in gardens, swamps, forests, and under debris or stones. They are nocturnal, hiding during the day and becoming active at night, sometimes entering homes in search of food.

What Do Centipedes Eat?

Centipedes are carnivorous, feeding on insects like cockroaches, spiders, worms, and crickets. They also have a taste for sweet foods, consuming sugary substances. With poor vision, centipedes rely on movement to identify prey, occasionally eating their own young.

When Do Centipedes Appear?

Centipedes are most active in temperatures between 15-18°C. They appear from March to December, becoming especially active during the breeding season from June to August. They hibernate from December, with young centipedes hatching in autumn, becoming active again in late summer.

Is It True That Centipedes Act in Pairs?

Centipedes are often found in pairs, usually a parent and offspring, not mates. Female centipedes lay about 50 eggs, carrying them on their backs to protect them. They continue to carry the young until they can hunt for themselves.

Do Centipedes Attract Others When Crushed?

There is a myth that crushing a centipede attracts others, but this is not scientifically proven. Unlike ants or bees that release pheromones to summon others, centipedes do not have this ability. They do not move in groups or attract others when killed.

Why Do Centipedes Enter Houses?

Centipedes enter homes in search of food, like cockroaches. They do not build nests inside but enter from outside. If you frequently see centipedes, it might indicate a high presence of their prey, such as cockroaches, inside your home.

How Can You Prevent Centipedes from Entering?

Preventing centipedes from entering your home entirely is difficult, but measures can be taken. Use insecticides or sticky traps, eliminate their food sources like cockroaches, and seal entry points. Keeping your home dry can also help, as centipedes prefer damp environments.

How Do You Eliminate Centipedes?

To eliminate centipedes, use insecticides specifically for centipedes or non-toxic cooling sprays. Pouring hot water over 50°C can also kill them. Centipedes dislike strong scents like those from cypress or rosemary, so placing these around potential entry points can be effective.

What is the Difference Between Centipedes and Millipedes?

Centipedes are often confused with millipedes, but there are differences. Millipedes are smaller, about 1.5-3cm long, and have two pairs of legs per segment, while centipedes have one pair per segment. Millipedes also curl up when disturbed, unlike centipedes. Centipedes are carnivorous, while millipedes eat decaying plant matter.

What Happens When a Centipede Bites?

Centipedes have sharp jaws that inject venom into their prey, and they can bite humans. The venom causes intense pain, swelling, and sometimes headaches or dizziness. Wash the bite with water immediately and seek medical treatment, including antihistamines or ammonia solution.

Do Shy Centipedes Have Stronger Venom?

Some centipedes, like the Tsukui centipede found in Kyushu and Okinawa, have a weak-looking body but strong venom. They use their venomous claws effectively due to their timid nature, having developed potent venom as a defense against predators like lizards.

Can Centipedes Detach Their Legs?

Centipedes can detach their legs to escape predators like birds or mice. The legs will eventually regrow.

Are Centipedes Pests?

While centipedes are considered pests due to their appearance and venomous bites, they play a role in controlling garden pests like slugs and insects. They also eat cockroaches and small rodents, making them helpful in some respects. Centipede oil and dried centipedes are used in traditional medicine for burns and cuts.

Are Centipedes Edible?

Centipedes are used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, and are sometimes eaten grilled or fried. While large centipedes have a bitter taste, smaller ones are mild. Heating neutralizes their venom, making them safe to eat.

Animal Article

Centipede

With their numerous legs, centipedes have a creepy appearance that makes you want to run away when you see them. They can enter homes through even the smallest gaps, and their bites are painful due to the venom they inject, which requires caution. Centipedes are highly resilient creatures, making them difficult to eliminate. Let's delve into the ecology of centipedes.