Additional leg-bearing segments are produced with each molt. Some centipedes are known to have lived up to 6 years. Mouthparts are for chewing. Centipedes and millipedes prefer to live in moist habitats and during the day occur underneath rocks, logs and other objects in contact with the ground. They are active at night.
Centipedes feed on insects and spiders.
They kill by grasping prey with their powerful fangs and injecting venom. The fangs are located on the body segment just behind the head. Millipedes feed on decomposing organic matter, but will occasionally damage seedling plants by feeding on leaves, stems and roots. They curl up ti g htly when disturbed resulting frequently in the release of fluids from repugnatorial glands. The bite is usually not medically threatening except to small children and individuals allergic to venoms.