Millipede

We found these bugs are found under rocks.

Description 

This bug is a common critter that lives for at least 7 years, but can be 10 years old. Despite their rather fearsome look it is vegetarian, eating decaying leaves and mildew. (a type of fungus). Millipedes and centipedes can be separated via the amount of legs per segment, millipedes with 4 legs in a segment (except from the first four) whereas centipedes have 2 legs per section. (except from the last). They release an almond-smelling gas that propels predators or they roll up like a pill bug.

Lifecycle 

When a millipede lays 20 to 30 eggs, it first encapsulates the eggs in dirt and poop. After it hatches it has a further 7-10 years to live. A millipede enters the world with 6 body sections and three pairs of legs. Every single time a millipede sheds it earns more body segments and legs. This is called by scientists anamorphic development. A male will give females a “back rub” as a mating practice, so a mate can let him give sperm meaning a baby.

Fun facts

• There is only one ‘true’ millipede.

Most millipedes don’t have 1000 legs, at most 200. Except form the The Blind Australian millipede from Australia, which has 1036 legs and was found in a mine by accident.

• Millipedes Were the First Animals to Live on Land

 Pneumodesmus newmani is the first creature to live on land, at least according to the fossil record, and it’s a millipede. (Of course). But maybe take this with a grain of salt because the millipede could have not come to land but the fossil did.