“1000 leggers” is a common name for multi-legged creatures. Many wonder if these arthropods bite, often due to misunderstanding their nature. These invertebrates, more accurately known as millipedes, generally pose no threat to humans. Their numerous segments and legs can cause apprehension, but their behavior and defense strategies differ from biting animals.
Understanding Millipedes
Millipedes belong to the class Diplopoda, characterized by elongated, segmented bodies. They have two pairs of legs on most body segments, giving them their “thousand-legged” moniker. Their body is cylindrical, and they move with a slow, wave-like motion. Millipedes prefer dark, moist habitats, found under rocks, leaf litter, decaying wood, or in soil, where they play a significant role in ecosystems.
These creatures are primarily detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter like leaves, wood, and other dead plant material. They contribute to nutrient cycling. While decaying vegetation is their main food, some species consume fungi, algae, or small amounts of dead insects. Millipedes have specialized mouthparts for chewing and grinding this material.
Millipede Defense Mechanisms
Millipedes do not bite, sting, or inject venom. Their primary defense involves coiling into a tight spiral when threatened, protecting their softer undersides and legs within their hard exoskeleton. This posture makes them less vulnerable to predators.
Many millipede species also release defensive fluids from microscopic pores, called ozopores. These secretions can be foul-smelling and irritating to predators. The chemicals vary by species, including compounds like benzoquinones, phenols, and trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide.
While effective against other arthropods and small animals, these secretions’ effects on humans are generally mild and temporary. Skin contact may cause temporary brownish discoloration or mild irritation like burning or itching. If fluid gets into the eyes, it can cause redness, swelling, and pain, requiring immediate flushing with water. Washing the affected skin with soap and water is usually sufficient for treatment.
Millipedes Versus Centipedes
Millipedes are often confused with centipedes, another group of multi-legged arthropods, but they have distinct differences. A key distinction is their leg structure: millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, while centipedes have one. This difference influences movement; millipedes move slowly with a wave-like motion, while centipedes are fast and agile.
Their body shapes also differ; millipedes have a rounded, cylindrical body, while centipedes have a flatter, more elongated body. Beyond appearance, their diets and defense strategies set them apart. Millipedes are detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, and defend themselves by coiling and secreting chemicals.
In contrast, centipedes are predators. They hunt and feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Centipedes have pincer-like appendages called forcipules, modified legs behind their head. These forcipules inject venom into prey. Therefore, unlike millipedes, centipedes can inflict a painful bite.