Centipede and Millipedes Facts for Children

Do centipedes and millipedes give you the creeps? They do seem a little scary with their wiggly bodies and many legs, but they can’t hurt you. Millipedes look a little like brown or gray worms with lots of tiny legs. They live in dark, wet places, like under an old log. They eat rotting leaves and wood and they’re not poisonous. Millipedes are shy and they don’t like light. Doesn’t sound too scary, right?

Centipede on the Ground Image - Science for Kids All About Centipede and Millipedes — Centipedes have fewer legs and they move more quickly.

Centipedes have fewer legs and they move more quickly. They eat bugs. Centipedes do have poisonous front claws, but their claws are too small to bite through human skin. Only the giant desert centipede is strong enough to bite a human. A bite from a giant centipede feels a little like a bee sting, but it won’t case any permanent damage.

A Centipede that Can't Hurt Image — Centipedes do have poisonous front claws, but their claws are too small to bite through human skin.

Fun Facts About Centipedes and Millipedes for Kids

Millipedes sometimes come indoors when the weather gets cold. They can’t live in dry areas, though, and they usually die within a few days.

Giant Centipede on a Human Arm Image - All About Centipedes and Millipedes for Kids — A bite from a giant centipede feels a little like a bee sting, but it won’t case any permanent damage.

Some millipedes have a sticky substance that can cause redness and itching.
You might find centipedes stuck in the bathtub or in cupboards in the morning. They scurry away if you approach them.
Centipedes and millipedes are related to insects, but they have more body parts.

Curled Brown Millipedes image — Millipedes look a little like brown or gray worms with lots of tiny legs.

Centipede and Millipede Vocabulary

Rotting: decomposing, breaking down
Shy: afraid of people
Permanent: lasting
Scurry: move away quickly

Millipedes Eating Leaves image — Millipedes eat rotting leaves and wood and they’re not poisonous.

Learn More All About Centipedes and Millipedes

Get familiar with the centipedes and millipedes with this informative documentary clip:

A documentary video about the nature of forest centipedes and millipedes.

Centipede and Millipede Q&A

Question: What do their names mean?

Answer: Centi means 100; milli means 1,000 and pede means feet.

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Question: What is the largest centipede?

Answer: The largest centipedes in the U.S. live in Arizona and grow to 7 inches long. In the West Indies, you’ll find centipedes that are 18 inches long. Yikes!

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