Millepede, also spelled millipede, refers to an arthropod belonging to the class Diplopoda, which is characterized by its elongated body made up of numerous segments. The name "millepede" is derived from Latin, with "mille" meaning thousand and "pedis" meaning foot, however, despite its name, most species of millepedes have far fewer than a thousand legs.
Millepedes typically have long cylindrical bodies, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length, and are usually found in moist terrestrial habitats such as forests, leaf litter, and caves. Their body consists of numerous segments, each bearing a pair of legs, though the exact number of legs can vary significantly between species. While some millepedes possess as few as 30 legs, others can have over 400 legs along their body. The legs of millepedes are typically short, enabling them to move with a characteristic wave-like motion.
These arthropods primarily feed on decaying organic matter, such as dead leaves, fungi, and wood, playing a vital role in the ecosystem's nutrient cycling. They generally have herbivorous or detritivorous diets and are mainly harmless, although certain species may produce defensive secretions that can cause irritation or discoloration to the skin.
Millepedes are ancient creatures, with fossil records dating back more than 400 million years. They are often mistaken for centipedes, another group of arthropods, but can be distinguished by their rounded body shape and the fact that each body segment has two pairs of legs rather than one. Overall, millepedes are intriguing invertebrates, notable for their segmental bodies and numerous legs, and contribute to the
