millipede-+Loretta

Millipedes

Introduction: A millipede is an arthropod that has 2 legs per segment. Each segment that has two pairs of legs is a result of two single segments connected together as one. Most millipedes have cylindrical bodies, although some are flattened. Pill millipedes are shorter and can roll into a ball, like a pill bug.



Anatomy: Millipedes are generally black or brown. Millipedes have 36 to 400 legs. Even though their legs are very slow they are very powerful burrowers.



Habitat: Millipedes must spend a lot of time in moist or humid environments. Millipedes live under logs, stones, bark and decaying leaves.



Feeding And Predators: Millipedes eat dead plants and rotting wood. Magpies and lizards eat millipedes.



Food Chain:



Decaying Leaf..........Arrow..........Millipede..........Arrow..........Magpie

Reproduction: The genital opening on the millipede is at the third segment. The male millipedes are different from the female millipedes.



Life Cycle: Female millipedes lay between ten and three hundred eggs at a time. The young millipedes hatch after three weeks and only have three pairs of legs. Many millipedes deposit their eggs on moist soil or organic detritus so nests are lined with dried faeces. (POO!)



Did You Know:

. No species of millipedes have more than 750 legs.

. The millipede with most legs was found in 1926.

. When a millipede feels that it is in danger it curls up into a spiral.

. Millipedes grow from 2 to 280 millimetres in length.

. Some species of millipedes release disgusting smell to deter predators.

. The longest millipede on record was 15 inches in length.

. Millipedes live up to 7 years.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: "Arial Black",Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">. Millipedes do not bite but may secrete a toxin that is irritating, particularly when accidentally rubbed into the eye.



<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: "Arial Black",Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">By: Loretta Carmody