Millipedes
Genaro Bucknor, Period 3, 5/9/16
Habitat(s)
Millipedes are found worldwide. Millipedes are usually found in damp and dark areas. They can also be found under rocks.
Movement
Millipedes usually have about 750 legs or less. The current record for number of legs is 750. However, Millipedes usually have between 80 and 400 legs (Millipede). Because of the number of legs they have, they move pretty slowly.
Body Covering
Millipedes have a hard shell covering their back, but have a soft underside. Millipedes are also segmented. Millepedes have two pairs of legs per segment. Millipedes use their hard exoskeleton to their advantage, as protection.
Diet
Since millipedes lack the jaws of the centipede, they tend to eat decaying plant material, like leaves and petals.
Reproduction
After mating, the female eats soil and poops it out. It is molded into a nest and she lays her hundreds of eggs. Afterward, she leaves the eggs (North American Millipede). Young millipedes have only seven segments and six legs. But they grow very fast and molt as they do so. After molting, the millipede will have new segments. (North American Millipede) Millipedes can live for several years.
Adaptations
Some species of millipede have a poisonous bite (Millipede). Millipedes also emit a foul smelling odor when irritated. Millipedes also curl up into a ball to protect their soft underside.
Other Info
- The name Millipede means "thousand legs", but the most legs recorded on a millipede was 750.
- The scientific name for millipedes is Diplopoda.
- The shrew is one of the millipede's main predators.
Works Cited
- "Millipedes: Diplopoda." Grzimek's Student Animal Life Resource. Ed. Catherine Judge Allen, et al. Vol. 13: Insects and Spiders: Volume 2. Detroit: UXL, 2005. 425-433. Research in Context. Web. 10 May 2016.
Millipede." a-z-animals.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2016. <http://a-z-
"North American Millipede." FCPS.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2016. <http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/north_american_millipede.htm>.