Critter Guide :: Insects & Arachnids :: Centipede Most centipedes lay eggs in warmer months; a few species even give birth to live babies. As a centipede grows, it grows more leg pairs. All of these legs have to be tucked in towards their bodies when they are under rocks and crevices. Centipedes are mostly nocturnal. Where do they live? Centipedes like to live in wet and warm places, such as basements and log bottoms. What do they eat? Centipedes eat small insects like flies, moths, and cockroaches. They use their front pair of legs as jaws that can grab prey and even inject poison. Critter Fact Although the word centipede means "hundred-legged," every type of centipede has a different number of legs. The average number of legs on centipedes is 35 pairs (70 legs). Did You Know? Some centipedes can bite when you crush them; the bite could leave a small swelling.

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