They run swiftly when disturbed. Centipedes prey on many species of arthropods, earthworms, snails, and other small animals, killing them with poison. Centipedes are long-lived, some species living as long as 5 or 6 years. Egg laying occurs in spring and fall. Eggs are laid in masses of 10 to 50 in the soil.
Most centipedes guard the eggs and new youth.
The young have fewer pairs of legs, adding more legs as they pass through several larval stages. There are also several adolescent stages, which appear similar to the adult stage, before maturity. This development takes up to 3 years. It often invades houses, particularly if subfloor areas or basements are damp. It searches for insects at night.