Quck answer
Despite their name, millipedes do not actually have a million legs. In fact, the number of legs varies depending on the species, but the average is around 400-500 legs. Each segment of their body has two pairs of legs, except for the first three segments which only have one pair. Despite their intimidating appearance, millipedes are harmless to humans and are important decomposers in many ecosystems.
Wild Animals
Contrary to popular belief, millipedes do not have 1,000 legs. Joao Paulo Burini/Getty Images
Firstly, it’s important to understand that millipedes are not worms or insects, as they have more than six legs. But how many legs exactly?
If you guessed 994, you would be incorrect. The Latin prefix “milli-” in their name does not refer to the exact number of legs they have. The common name “thousand leggers” is also inaccurate.
Millipedes belong to the arthropod phylum, which includes diverse invertebrates like butterflies, scorpions, and spiders. All arthropods have a hard exoskeleton, segmented bodies, and jointed legs. What sets millipedes apart is that each segment of their body has two pairs of legs, instead of one pair like centipedes. This is why they are scientifically called diplopoda, meaning “double foot.”
Having many legs is advantageous for millipedes, making them highly adaptable creatures. They have been around for 400 million years, with fossil evidence showing that they were among the first-ever terrestrial animals.
Millipedes range in size from 0.1 inch (3 millimeters) to about 11 inches (0.3 of a meter) and scientists have discovered about 12,000 species on every continent except Antarctica, estimating up to 80,000 species exist.
So, why do millipedes have so many legs? They primarily feed on leaf litter, which is abundant but not nutrient-rich. They spend most of their time in soil, under leaves and rocks. The many legs help them move around in this dense environment.
Millipedes hatch with only a few pairs of legs and grow through molting, shedding their exoskeleton and growing a new one. This process also adds a new segment, and therefore two new pairs of legs. Some millipedes stop molting when they reach adulthood, while others molt their whole lives (around two years on average).
The number of legs on a millipede varies by species, ranging from 24 to 750 at most. In reality, most species have under 100 legs.
Differences Between Millipedes and Centipedes
Millipedes have defense mechanisms but do not bite or sting. They have poor eyesight and use their antennae to navigate. When threatened, millipedes curl up into a ball and secrete chemicals to ward off predators. These chemicals are not harmful to humans and are even used as mosquito repellent in some tropical regions.
Centipedes, on the other hand, can bite using their fangs that secrete venom. Although their bites can be painful, they usually do not cause any other harmful effects.
Centipedes’ legs spread out while millipedes’ legs point downward. Centipedes have one pair of legs per segment, while millipedes have two pairs. If the creature runs away quickly, it is likely a centipede. If it curls up, it is probably a millipede.
Now That’s Illuminating
Scientists have developed new imaging techniques that use UV light to differentiate between millipede species. Millipede exoskeletons and reproductive organs glow under UV light, which is also the case with many other arthropods. Some millipede species in California are bioluminescent and glow in the dark.
Originally Published: May 1, 2019
Millipede Legs FAQs
How many legs does a centipede have?
Centipede species have different numbers of legs, ranging from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, meaning at least 30 to 354 legs each.
How many legs does a millipede have?
There are 7,000 different species of millipede, with 1,400 in the U.S. Most have between 24 and 750 legs, and scientists have not found any with 1,000 legs.
Can millipedes hurt you?
Millipedes are relatively harmless, but some species can release fluid from their glands that could irritate your skin if you pick them up.
Do millipedes release poison through their skin?
Millipedes do not bite or sting, unlike centipedes. Some millipede species can produce fluid from glands on their body that can be mildly irritating if it gets on your skin.
FAQ
1. What is a millipede?
A millipede is an arthropod with a long, segmented body and many legs. They are not insects but belong to the class Diplopoda, which means “double foot” in Greek.
2. How many legs does a millipede have?
Despite its name, a millipede does not have 1,000 legs. The number of legs varies depending on the species, but the average is around 400 legs.
3. Why do millipedes have so many legs?
Millipedes have many legs as a means of defense. When threatened, they curl up into a tight ball, protecting their soft undersides with their hard exoskeleton and releasing a foul-smelling liquid to deter predators.
4. Are all millipedes the same size?
No, millipedes come in various sizes. The smallest species are only a few millimeters long, while the largest can grow up to 30 centimeters.
5. Are millipedes harmful to humans?
In general, millipedes are not harmful to humans. Some species can release a mild toxin, but it is not dangerous. However, some people may be allergic to millipede secretions and experience a rash or other symptoms.
6. What do millipedes eat?
Millipedes are herbivores and feed on decaying plant matter. They play an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead plant material and returning nutrients to the soil.
7. Where can I find millipedes?
Millipedes can be found in many parts of the world, but they prefer moist environments such as forests, grasslands, and gardens. They are most active at night and can often be seen crawling on the ground or on low vegetation.
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