However, there are important differences. A centipede's legs are usually quite prominent. Centipedes are far more active than millipedes, particularly the common house centipede. Most are flattened and elongated. They feed on small Insects and other arthropods.
Centipedes usually are less common in homes than millipedes.
However, they may be far more conspicuous, particularly the giant desert centipede that can reach 6 inches in length. In homes, centipedes are found most frequently in the morning trapped in bathtubs or wash basins. They also may be seen darting for cover when a light is turned on in a dark room. Occasionally, a startled centipede may run at the person entering the room, giving the incorrect impression that it is attacking. Except for the largest species, centipedes cannot bite through skin, so hazard to humans is remote.