Centipedes are common arthropods found across diverse environments. While they hunt smaller invertebrates, centipedes also serve as a food source for other animals. Despite possessing venom, centipedes represent a valuable nutritional component for numerous species. This makes them a frequent target for predators.
Birds That Prey on Centipedes
Many bird species commonly include centipedes in their diet. Thrushes and American robins frequently probe leaf litter and disturbed soil to uncover them, while starlings and jays also readily consume these arthropods when encountered. Ground-feeding birds like domestic chickens are particularly effective at hunting centipedes. Owls, as nocturnal hunters, may also prey on centipedes, especially larger species. Some birds, like the Rufous-browed Flycatcher, have been observed catching centipedes to feed their young.
Mammals That Hunt Centipedes
Various mammals include centipedes in their diet, often utilizing their keen senses and digging abilities to locate this prey. Shrews, with their high metabolism and constant need for food, are effective hunters of centipedes, often found in the same damp environments. Moles, living underground, encounter centipedes as they tunnel, making them opportunistic predators, and hedgehogs are also known to consume centipedes, using their snouts to root through undergrowth where centipedes hide. Certain rodents, such as mice, will also prey on centipedes when they come across them. Larger opportunistic feeders like raccoons, opossums, and badgers may also include centipedes in their varied diets, especially if other food sources are scarce.
Reptiles and Amphibians That Consume Centipedes
Reptiles and amphibians are significant predators of centipedes, often sharing the same moist, dark habitats. Various lizard species, including skinks and geckos, prey on centipedes, using quick strikes to capture their agile prey. Smaller snake species also consume centipedes, with some, like the South African Cape black-headed snake, having centipedes as a primary food source. Frogs and toads are opportunistic feeders that will snap up centipedes with their sticky tongues. The overlap in habitat and the predatory instincts of these reptiles and amphibians make centipedes a regular part of their diet.
Invertebrates That Eat Centipedes
The intricate food web dynamics among invertebrates also include centipedes as prey for other arthropods. Larger spiders, such as wolf spiders and tarantulas, are known to hunt and consume centipedes, using their venom to subdue them before feeding. Scorpions, another group of arachnids, also prey on centipedes, showcasing a predator-prey relationship within the invertebrate community. Certain predatory insects, like ground beetles and large ants, especially army ants, will also hunt down and consume centipedes, particularly younger ones, demonstrating complex inter-arthropod predation where one arthropod becomes a food source for another.