Centipedes
Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda. Their name implies that they have 100 legs but in reality, centipedes can have a varying number of pairs of legs ranging from 15 to 177; no centipede has exactly 100 pairs of legs, it is always an odd number. Their size ranges from a few millimetres to 30 cm. Their first pair of legs is found behind its head and modified into poison claws or jaws for attacking prey. Centipedes dwell in a wide variety of habitats but are usually found under damp and rotting wood, stones and garden litter.
Centipedes may inflict painful bites; the larger the centipede the more painful the bite is. All centipedes have venom on their fangs to kill their prey but centipede bites rarely have any health complications in humans and no fatalities have been recorded.
Commonly encountered centipedes
Australian House Centipede
Giant Centipede
Orange-footed Centipede
