The number of babies a centipede can have varies significantly across the thousands of species within the class Chilopoda. Centipedes are predatory arthropods characterized by elongated, segmented bodies and a single pair of legs per segment. Reproductive success is linked to the centipede’s size and environmental niche; larger, tropical species often have different outputs than smaller, temperate relatives. The total number of offspring a female produces depends on her reproductive cycle, specific order, and the level of parental care provided.
The Centipede Reproductive Cycle
Centipede reproduction is an indirect process beginning when the male deposits a packet of sperm, known as a spermatophore. This transfer does not involve direct copulation; instead, the male often weaves a small silk web or platform where the spermatophore is left. The female then collects this sperm packet using her genital opening, sometimes after a courtship ritual. This indirect fertilization requires a moist environment to prevent the spermatophore from drying out before retrieval.
After fertilization, most centipedes are oviparous (egg-laying), though a few species are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. The female seeks a hidden, damp location—such as rotting wood or beneath a rock—to lay her clutch. Secrecy is important because the eggs are vulnerable to desiccation and predation. Egg laying typically occurs in warmer months, allowing the young to develop under favorable conditions.
Offspring Quantity Across Species
The quantity of young produced in a single clutch differs significantly between the major centipede orders. Smaller centipedes, such as stone centipedes (Lithobiomorpha) and house centipedes (Scutigeromorpha), lay fewer eggs per event. These species may lay eggs singly or in small batches ranging from 15 to 35 eggs. This lower clutch size correlates with a strategy of producing fewer young over a longer lifespan.
In contrast, larger centipedes in the order Scolopendromorpha, including giant tropical species, produce larger clutches. Females typically lay their eggs in a single cluster, with numbers reaching up to 66 eggs per brood. The final clutch size is influenced by the female’s available food and the surrounding temperature, as she needs energy reserves to produce and guard the eggs. Although large, these species produce a relatively low number of offspring compared to many insects, reflecting a higher investment per egg.
The number of young a female centipede produces in her lifetime can be substantially higher than a single clutch size, sometimes reaching up to 150 young. This total is spread across several years, as many centipede species are long-lived, sometimes surviving over six years. Reproductive output balances the quantity of eggs laid against the extensive energy required for subsequent parental care.
Maternal Care and Juvenile Development
A defining characteristic of centipede reproduction is the degree of maternal care provided by the female. Immediately after laying, the mother coils her body tightly around the clutch, forming a protective ball. This behavior, seen in orders like Scolopendromorpha and Geophilomorpha, shields the vulnerable eggs from predators and maintains a stable, humid microclimate.
The mother also meticulously grooms the eggs with her mouthparts. This constant cleaning removes mold and fungal spores, which pose a significant threat in the damp environment. This protective period is physically demanding; the female often forgoes feeding for weeks or months until the eggs hatch. Disturbance during this time can cause the mother to abandon or consume her brood, a phenomenon known as filial cannibalism.
Once the young hatch, they remain coiled with the mother, who continues guarding them through initial development. Depending on the species, centipedes undergo anamorphosis or epimorphosis, meaning they may hatch with fewer segments and legs than the adult form. They gain additional segments and legs with subsequent molts as they grow. The young centipedes disperse and become independent only after several molts, marking the end of the female’s parental investment.