Millipedes belong to the Class Diplopoda, which literally translated means “double foot.” Each segment on a millipede’s long, cylindrical body has two pairs or four legs. Although the name millipede implies 1,000 legs, 750 is the maximum recorded. These slow-moving burrowers are harmless vegetarians, with no means to bite or sting, who eat decaying plant matter. When threatened, millipedes curl into tight spirals and, as a second line of defense, secrete noxious hydrocyanide that smells like almonds. Shrews and opossums aren’t bothered by these defense tactics and don’t hesitate to gobble them down as tasty treats.

Cool Links:

Critter Case File: Millipedes - from the University of Kentucky Entomology for Kids site.

Infrared Millipede - Infrared photos of a millipede;  part of the Infrared Zoo Web site, a fascinating look at the thermal signatures of warm- and cold-blooded animals.

Millipede links - An excellent list of links from Herper.com.

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