Millipedes are scavengers and usually feed on decaying organic matter. The flattened-bodied centipedes, on the other hand, are predators with many species having pairs of poison claws and use the poison to paralyze their prey, usually small insects. There have been reports of centipedes biting humans, but centipedes are not aggressive and the bite, while a bit painful, is not dangerous. Most common centipedes rarely grow beyond a few inches but can grow up to six inches long. A six-inch long centipede is certainly intimidating and will scare young children and adults alike.
Millipedes can grow up to about four inches long.
How to tell Centipedes from Millipedes Millipedes are elongated and almost worm-like whereas some species of centipedes are somewhat flattened. Most millipedes are very dark in color. Most centipedes are yellowish to dark brown or even striped. Most centipedes have poisonous claws behind the head where millipedes do not. Food preferences for millipedes include decaying vegetation whereas centipedes feed on small, insects.