Photo by Jackman. Photo by Drees. Centipedes are generally flattened and have a pair of well developed antennae on the head. The largest centipedes, Scolopendra spp. Millipede bodies are rounded or somewhat flattened.
Legs are short and movement is slow, with movement of legs appearing wave-like.
Centipedes and millipedes spend the winter as adults in protected habitats and become active in the spring. During the warmer months, females lay eggs in soil and cover them with a sticky substance, although some species give birth to living young. Additional leg-bearing segments are produced with each molt. Some centipedes are known to have lived up to 6 years. Mouthparts are for chewing.