The question of whether a centipede can “hiss” depends on the species and the definition of the sound. Centipedes are segmented arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, and they are common predators found in various environments. While they lack the vocal cords or lungs necessary for a true biological vocalization, specific larger species are capable of producing a distinct, audible warning noise. This sound is generated through mechanical means, often when the creature feels threatened or is handled.
The Source of Centipede Sounds
Centipedes do not possess the complex respiratory systems that vertebrates use to produce sound, such as forcing air over vocal cords. Their air exchange occurs through a series of tiny external openings along their body called spiracles, which connect to a network of internal tubes known as tracheae. Because centipedes do not have lungs, any noise they make must be created through the manipulation of their external structures or by forcing air out through these respiratory openings.
One method some species use to create noise is stridulation, which involves rubbing specialized body parts together to create friction. This is similar to how a cricket chirps. Certain centipede species, like the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata), are believed to produce faint sounds in this manner, often by rubbing their legs or mandibles.
A second, more noticeable sound mechanism involves the forceful expulsion of air through the spiracles, which creates a sharp sound often described as a hiss or whistle. This sound is primarily observed in very large centipedes, such as the Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros). Though the sound is not a true hiss, the rapid, forced rush of air generates a noise that mimics the sound of air escaping under pressure, serving as an effective acoustic warning. For this mechanism to work, the centipede must be able to occlude, or close off, its spiracles.
Centipedes as Predators and Defenders
The audible noise produced by certain centipedes is purely a defensive behavior, used when the animal is disturbed or feels its immediate survival is at risk. Centipedes are primarily nocturnal hunters, using their speed and powerful venom to subdue prey, which can include insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates. The venom is delivered through a pair of modified legs located behind the head, known as forcipules.
When a centipede is confronted by a predator, the sound is often deployed as part of a larger threat display. This display may involve the centipede raising its head and the posterior end of its body in a striking posture. For species with bright coloration, such as the vivid red head of the Giant Desert Centipede, the display is a form of aposematism, a warning signal to potential aggressors that the creature is venomous.
The sound acts as an immediate deterrent, startling a threat long enough for the centipede to escape or prepare to use its forcipules for defense. While a centipede’s bite is rarely lethal to humans, the venom can cause intense localized pain, swelling, and temporary tissue damage. The combination of the visual warning and the sudden noise makes the centipede a formidable opponent when cornered.
Distinguishing Centipedes From Hissing Arthropods
The perception that centipedes hiss is often due to misidentification or confusion with other arthropods that produce similar sounds. A significant point of confusion is the distinction between centipedes and millipedes, which are often grouped together but have distinct characteristics. Centipedes are characterized by having only one pair of legs per body segment, are fast-moving, and are venomous predators. Millipedes, in contrast, have two pairs of legs on most body segments, are slow-moving herbivores, and are not venomous.
The true “hissing champion” of the arthropod world is the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). This large insect produces its namesake sound by forcibly expelling air through specialized spiracles on its abdomen, a mechanism nearly identical to the air-expulsion method employed by large centipedes. Unlike the centipede’s defensive noise, the cockroach uses its hiss for both disturbance and social communication, including courtship and male territorial disputes.