It could be argued that centipedes epitomize the colloquial term “creepy crawly”. Their multitude of legs and rapid serpentine movement sends shivers up the spines of most casual observers.
Approximately 124 species of centipedes have been recorded in South Africa. The name centipede means a “hundred legs” however the more familiar species have 21 to 23 pairs of legs, so less than half of what their name suggests. Centipedes differ from millipedes in that they only have one pair of legs per body segment, whereas millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment. The legs of centipedes are also longer and protrude out the side of the body as opposed to millipedes which have short legs positioned on the underside of the body segment.
Centipedes are carnivorous and are efficient predators. Predominately nocturnal creatures, they actively seek out and hunt down prey items such insects, worms and snails. Some of the larger species will even prey upon frogs, lizards and small rodents. Once a prey item has been detected by the antennae, the centipede will grab hold of the unfortunate victim with its legs and subdue it with an injection of venom. The venom is delivered via a modified pair of legs known as forcipules or maxillipeds. These pincer-like appendages resemble fangs and are located just behind the head. The appendages at the rear end of the centipede are also a pair of modified legs. They are called the ultimate legs but are also referred to as the anal legs, caudal legs or terminal legs. They are not used for locomotion.
Generally speaking, centipedes are not considered to be of great danger to people. That being said a number of human fatalities have been recorded. A bite from an Amazonian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea), a very large species growing to over 30cm in length, reportedly resulted in the death of a young child. However, such cases appear to be extremely rare. A “bite” or “sting” from a centipede can be very painful so they are best left well alone. Typical symptoms of an envenomation include localized pain and swelling as well as discolouration of the skin at the bite site.
In my experience centipede bites are a rare occurrence and most bites/stings happen when the animal is accidently squashed against the skin. Shaking out clothing, towels and bedding that may have been lying on the ground is recommended as a precautionary measure to minimize the risk of a bite. Centipedes have been known to make their way into shoes, so it is a good practice to always check your shoes before putting them on. When walking around at night always use a torch so you can see where you are placing your feet, and wearing closed shoes offers a great deal of protection against a bite.
For more information on scorpions, snakes, spiders and other venomous animals, awareness training and talks, as well as a professional 24hrs problem snake rescue service, contact the author at Wildlife Safety Solutions: 073 934 6156; info@wildlifesafetysolutions.co.za; www.wildlifesafetysolutions.co.za, FB Wildlife Safety Solutions, Instagram wildlife_safety_solutions
