Identifying Different Centipede Species

You’d think it would be easy to identify a centipede scurrying through your home or garden due to their numerous legs. There’s a common myth that’s circulated for years that these arthropods have 100 legs, but the truth is that the number of legs varies considerably based on the centipede species (not to mention millipedes which are a completely different arthropod!). There are 13 types of centipede species that entomologists have identified, though you won’t see all of those in New Jersey.

The centipede is fascinating, but you should know they’re venomous. They’re often confused with millipedes, which also have many legs, but the centipede is more aggressive. If you encounter a millipede, they will roll into a ball, but the centipede will come out ready to fight.

The centipede is significantly larger, but they have fewer legs than the millipede. Did you know that the centipede species is one of the oldest animals on the earth? Ironically, paleontologists have found them in fossils that date back more than 400 million years ago.

What gets most people about these crawling creatures is how aggressive and creepy they appear. They get various nicknames in different parts of the country, and one name that you might hear is “hundred-leggers.” Regardless of what you call them, you’ll notice that they’re quick, flexible, and can move in and out of an area like lightning.

Common Physical Traits of Centipede Species

Since there are many different centipede species, it’s only natural that the color variations will also differ. Some are gray, while others are hues of reddish brown. In tropical regions with abundant sun, you might see orange, blue, and even shades of red on the subterranean centipede.

If you look closely at their body structure, you’ll see that they have a long body that’s primarily flat. Each section is called a segment, and each section has legs attached to it. Their worm-like body has one pair of antennae on its head, and since they’re related to lobsters, their claw-like pincers are located just below the antennae. These pincers help them to capture their prey.

The venom also assists in the hunting process—they spray their target with small glands beneath their head. The first pair of legs on their bodies, known as the forcipules, connect directly to their skulls and these glands. These legs are used to pierce the skin so that they can inject venom into their prey. Once the insect or bug gets an injection, they’re paralyzed from the effects of the toxins.

The size of these venomous arthropods might shock you. They can be as small as an inch or as long as a foot. It all depends on where they live, what they eat, and their species. When it comes to eating habits, the centipede species mostly lives a carnivore lifestyle. They feast on insects and bugs for sustenance. In contrast, the millipede prefers plant matter and other decaying goods, so this is one significant difference between the two.

The Various Centipede Species

Living in the Garden State near the water brings many critters your way. The most common centipede species you’ll encounter here is the house centipede. Other common varieties include the soil, brown, and eastern red varieties. Here are some of the centipede species that have been identified and some characteristics of each one.

Eastern Bark Centipede

Located in almost every part of the country is the eastern bark centipede. These medium-sized critters can get up to 77 mm in length. Their vibrant blue backs and legs make them hard to miss as they hurry by.

There have been sightings of this centipede species in Virginia by the James River and as far south as Florida’s Gulf Coast. They’ve become commonplace in warm and dry states like Texas and Oklahoma.

Pacific Giant Centipede

Originating in eastern Asia, the Pacific Giant Centipede is a larger species that is found all over the world. There are many color variations, so it’s hard to pinpoint them by sight alone. You’ll most commonly see them with orange legs, redheads, and other vibrant color combinations.

You don’t want to grapple with this centipede species as they’re known to be active and aggressive predators. They can get up to 8 inches long and have 22 pairs of legs on each body segment. Thankfully, they typically are found in Hawaii and not in New Jersey.

Stone or Brown Centipede

The stone centipede is usually found in the UK, though its presence is becoming known worldwide. They’re also called the brown centipede in some regions due to their chestnut color. They can get up to around 1 inch and are medium-sized centipedes.

There have been reports of them in New York, Washington state, and Pennsylvania, but New Jersey isn’t too far, so one could wonder this way. This centipede species loves to hide in the soil and under rocks, as they can camouflage themselves in the dirt.

Common Cryptops

Though this centipede species was commonplace in Europe, they have recently been introduced into this country. They also grow to approximately 1 inch in length with their body width coming in at 1mm. They have twenty-one pairs of legs that align each segment and come in various hues of brown.

You’ll typically see these creatures in woodlands and garden areas, as they like to hide under stones and logs. Sightings in this country have occurred as far south as South Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas, and they’ve been spotted as far north as Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.

House Centipede

The house centipedes are typically found in the Pacific northwestern area, but recently they’ve become a common occurrence in New Jersey and other New England States. These arthropods came from the Mediterranean region but have made their way worldwide and into homes across America.

This centipede species loves cooler places to hang out, so they prefer woodpiles, rocks, or leaf litter as their home. They gravitate to darker areas like the garage, basement, or bathroom. While they can climb if they must, they prefer to stay on the ground.

You usually won’t see these creatures in fall or winter as they only come out when it’s warm outside. During the cooler months, they take shelter.

Eastern Red Centipede

The Eastern Red Centipede is known for its agile nature and lightning-fast stride. Since their bodies are more flattened than other species, they can easily maneuver through the smallest areas. Their bright yellow legs are hard to miss against their brownish-red bodies.

Each segment of their body has one pair of legs, but you probably won’t get close enough to see. They don’t like to go indoors and prefer to spend their days outside. They will likely be in your basement or cellar area if they do happen to stumble into your home.

These centipede species tend to be a bit combative and will bite you if they feel threatened. Never try to pick them up, as it’s a sure way to get bitten. Though the bite will sting and may irritate the skin, the venom won’t cause significant harm.