Scuttling hunter with a venomous kick. The common centipede uses its many legs to hunt other invertebrates on the woodland floor.
Common name(s): common centipede, brown centipede, stone centipede
Scientific name: Lithobius forficatus
Family: Lithobiidae
Habitat: woodland, grassland, farmland, gardens, toads
Predators: birds, mammals, toads
Origin: native
Common centipedes have long, thin, brownish-red bodies with large antennae. Despite its name, it does not have 100 legs; instead it has just 15 pairs of legs. It has elongated back legs that almost resemble a second pair of antennae.
Measuring up to 3cm in length, this is one of the largest centipede species in the UK.
Common centipedes are predators, eating a range of insects and invertebrates. Spiders, slugs, worms and flies may all be on the menu. The centipede catches its prey using specially-adapted front legs. These legs have evolved to resemble fangs and contain venom that allows the centipede to overpower its prey.
Centipedes are a gardener’s friend, feeding on slugs and other species considered pests.
Common centipedes can walk backwards almost as quickly as they can walk forwards.
An adaptable species, common centipedes can be found across the UK in a variety of habitats including woodland, grassland and gardens. They will spend the day hidden within the soil or dark places such as under stones, dead wood and bark. Once night falls, they will emerge to hunt for prey.
Credit: Andrew Darrington / Alamy Stock Photo
Your best chance of seeing a common centipede is to look underneath stones and dead wood. If you have a compost heap in your garden, there is a good chance centipedes may be living within.
Like most invertebrates, little is known about the population status of common centipedes, but the species is not thought to be under threat.
