Millipede

Millipedes are long-bodied invertebrates belonging to the class Diplopoda. Despite their common name, no known species has a thousand legs. Depending on the species, they usually have from a few dozen to several hundred legs, and each new body segment added as they grow produces additional pairs.

Most millipedes have two pairs of legs on nearly every visible body segment, which distinguishes them from centipedes. They live in forests, gardens, grasslands and other damp places, where they spend much of their time beneath leaves, logs or stones to avoid drying out. Their slow movements and rounded body reflect a lifestyle focused on feeding rather than hunting.

Unlike centipedes, millipedes are not predators. Most feed on dead leaves, decaying wood and other decomposing plant material, helping recycle nutrients back into the soil. By breaking down this organic matter, they play an important role in healthy ecosystems. When threatened, many species curl into a tight spiral that protects their softer underside.

Some can also release defensive chemicals with an unpleasant smell or taste, discouraging predators such as birds and small mammals. Millipedes hatch from eggs and grow through a series of molts, adding body segments and legs as they mature. Although they may look unusual, they are generally harmless to people and are valuable members of nature's recycling system.