Centipedes are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, characterized by segmented bodies and one pair of legs per segment. These creatures possess a potent neurotoxic venom injected through specialized front legs called forcipules. Their survival is also aided by remarkable speed and a tough, multi-plated exoskeleton. Despite these defenses, centipedes form an important part of the food chain, hunted by a diverse range of animals that have evolved specific strategies to overcome their venom and speed.
Mammalian and Avian Hunters
Mammalian predators rely on speed and specialized handling to neutralize the centipede’s threat. Shrews, swift and precise hunters, use highly sensitive whiskers to locate prey. They execute a rapid, decisive strike, frequently targeting the centipede’s head to immediately disable the venomous forcipules.
Mongooses, known for their agility, dodge the centipede’s strike before delivering a quick, fatal bite to the head or neck. Raccoons and badgers are opportunistic foragers. They use powerful forelimbs to dig up centipedes, often rolling them to expose the softer underside for a safer point of attack.
Ground-feeding birds, such as thrushes and domestic fowl, also consume centipedes. These avian predators employ a “peck-and-shake” or “peck-and-stab” strategy, repeatedly striking the centipede to subdue it before swallowing or dismembering it. Nocturnal owls rely on silent flight and sharp talons to seize the arthropod before it can react or employ its venom.
Reptilian and Amphibian Eaters
Centipedes are a primary food source for many ground-dwelling reptiles and amphibians adapted to handle arthropod prey. Amphibians like toads and frogs avoid the centipede’s venomous forcipules using a specialized, lightning-fast tongue. This tongue is coated in a non-Newtonian saliva that thins upon impact to engulf the prey, then quickly thickens to secure the centipede before retraction.
Certain specialized snake species, such as the South African Cape black-headed snake (Aparallactus capensis), feed almost entirely on centipedes. These snakes possess a mild venom highly effective on arthropods and are equipped to deal with the centipede’s defenses.
Other reptiles, including various lizards and smaller snakes, benefit from natural physical defenses. Their tough, scaled skin offers protection against the centipede’s forcipules, making successful venom injection difficult. These predators often use a rapid strike and shake method to disorient the centipede before consuming it head-first, minimizing the chance of envenomation.
The Arthropod Predators
Predation among arthropods is a fierce dynamic, with larger, venomous invertebrates frequently preying upon centipedes. Cannibalism is a significant source of mortality, as larger centipede species readily consume smaller individuals, especially when food is scarce. Species in the genus Scolopendra hunt other centipedes, using superior size, speed, and venom to immobilize their kin.
Other formidable invertebrate hunters, such as large tarantulas and scorpions, also include centipedes in their diet. Tarantulas use their size and powerful chelicerae to subdue the centipede and inject venom. Scorpions rely on their pincers to crush the centipede’s head while simultaneously delivering a paralyzing sting.