Said a thousand legged worm...

Spotted this centipede(below) moving(scurrying? crawling? what exactly do you call this kind of movement eh?) into the grass while we were out and about, on the hunt for hornbills. Strange that it was out and about during the day, when centipedes are known to be mostly nocturnal. He didn't get the memo?

Not sure what's its species though. If you know of a centipede that has a yellow body and red/orange legs let us know?

Unknown species of centipede (Class: Chilopoda)

Centipedes are rather curious looking animals with their multitude of legs! But wait... what's the difference between a centipede and a millipede? It's all in their legs :) Nah, don't need to actually count their legs, just need to check how many legs they have per segment of their body:

(a) Centipede: One pair of legs per segment

(b) Millipede: Two pairs of legs per segment

Millipedes are also usually fatter, unlike the slim(and sexy?) and flat centipede.

Take note though that the first pair of legs on the centipede has been modified into...FANGS ! (Also unlike millipedes. Not like they need venom to attack plants right?) These little creatures are capable of injecting venom into whatever they bite...and that includes you. Apart from some pain, this is usually harmless. Unless, of course, you're fortunate enough to be allergic to its toxins. They grab and sting their prey with their fangs. While they are known to be carnivorous, some species are known to eat their greens(plants) as well.

Before you write of these creatures as cold, vicious little things, interesting fact: they're caring mothers *awwww...* Female centipedes are known to curl around their eggs to protect them. Some even "lick" their eggs regularly to keep it clean and free of fungi.

Also, the centipedes you normally find in your home(if you haven't exterminated them in panic already...) are actually beneficial! They eat other pests like...the dreaded... ubiquitous... unsquashable... COCKROACH! So think twice before you smash the next centipede you find. They are our allies in our fight against the unkillable one!

References

Australian Museum. (n.d.). Animals: Myriapoda. Retrieved March 19, 2010, from Wildlife of Sydney: http://faunanet.gov.au/wos/group.cfm?Group_ID=14

Ramel, G. (n.d.). Insects: Chilopoda (Centipedes). Retrieved March 19, 2010, from Earthlife: http://www.earthlife.net/insects/chilopod.html