They also bear a single pair of antennae. Both prefer moist habitats and are mainly active at night. During the day they are usually found under rocks, logs, etc. They and other myriapods are characterized by a head region followed by an elongate trunk of many segments.
Centipedes are carnivores characterized by one pair legs on each segment behind the head.
Despite the difficultly of coordinating their walking legs, centipedes are able to move fairly swiftly. Most centipedes feed on other arthropods but some of the larger ones are known to eat mice, frogs, and snakes. Millipedes, on the other hand, are generally herbivores. They are not as agile as centipedes and most crawl fairly slowly. Many, however, are protected by poisonous secretions, some even produce hydrogen cyanide.