The millipedes are elongate, wormlike animals with many legs. Most millipedes have 30 or more pairs of legs, and most body segments bear 2 pairs. The body is cylindrical or slightly flattened, and the antennae are short. Compound eyes are usually present. Millipedes are important decomposers in a wide variety of ecosystems, and are essentially harmless to humans.
Most species are nocturnal, although some become active during rainy or damp weather.
Very few animals prey on millipedes, as most varieties exude bitter tasting devensive fluids from pores along the side of the body. The forest section of the Teter Nature Trail is a great place to see millipedes. Look along decomposing logs near in damp areas, or on the trunks of some trees, particularly hackberry. Most spiders have eight eyes, but some have fewer. Most spiders have 8 legs.