House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are common household arthropods often encountered darting across floors or walls, due to their unusual movement. These creatures, with their numerous legs, can appear to move in a way that suggests they might jump. This often leads to a misunderstanding of their unique locomotion.
The Truth About Their Movement
House centipedes do not jump by propelling their entire body off a surface. Instead, their movement is characterized by remarkable speed and agility across various surfaces. They are among the fastest arthropods, capable of moving at speeds up to 1.3 feet per second (0.4 meters per second). This rapid locomotion is achieved through the coordinated action of their many legs.
Their legs move in a wave-like, undulating pattern, often described as a metachronal wave, allowing for continuous forward momentum. This wave-like motion enables them to navigate swiftly across floors, up walls, and even across ceilings. Their fluid, synchronized movement contributes to their speed and ability to change direction quickly. Their legs are equipped with small hairs, called setae, which aid in gripping surfaces, facilitating climbing.
Why They Seem to Jump
The perception that house centipedes can jump often stems from their erratic and sudden movements. When startled or pursuing prey, they exhibit darting sprints and abrupt stops, which can create the illusion of leaping. Their ability to rapidly accelerate and change direction, combined with their long legs, makes their movements appear less like running and more like a series of short, springing bursts.
The optical effect of their many undulating legs also contributes to this misinterpretation. As they scurry, their many legs create a blurred, almost floating appearance, particularly when observed peripherally. This visual phenomenon, coupled with their speed, can lead observers to believe the creature is springing or pouncing, rather than simply running quickly. They may also drop from elevated surfaces as a defensive mechanism, which can be mistaken for jumping.
Understanding House Centipedes
House centipedes are elongated arthropods with a yellowish-gray body and three dark stripes. Adult house centipedes typically have 15 pairs of legs, with the hindmost pair often being significantly longer and resembling antennae. Their body length ranges from about 1 to 1.5 inches, though their long legs can make them appear much larger, sometimes up to 3 to 4 inches including appendages.
These creatures are originally native to the Mediterranean region but are now found globally, often residing indoors. They prefer cool, damp environments such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces, where they seek shelter. House centipedes are predatory carnivores, feeding on various small arthropods including flies, silverfish, cockroaches, and spiders. They use modified legs near their mouth, called forcipules, to inject venom and subdue their prey. Despite their appearance, house centipedes are generally harmless to humans and can even be beneficial by controlling other household pests.