Centipedes are fascinating, predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda, known for their elongated, flattened, segmented bodies and numerous legs. Despite their name translating to "hundred feet," no known species has exactly 100 legs; they possess one pair of legs per segment, ranging from 15 to over 191 pairs.

Because they lack a waxy cuticle like insects, they lose water quickly and require moist environments.

Centipedes have flattened bodies; millipedes are more rounded.