You spot a many-legged crawler in your bathroom and wonder, " Centipede vs. millipede ... does it matter?" This quick guide breaks down the key differences in the age-old confusion.

Though both are arthropods with segmented bodies and jointed legs, their form, diet, and ecological roles couldn’t be more different.

Different Body Structure

Centipedes have a flatter body with segments that each bear one pair of legs. Their legs extend out from the body and give them a speed advantage, especially useful for capturing small creatures and avoiding predators.

Most centipedes range from yellowish to dark brown, and they look sleek and fast — makes sense, given the small insects that comprise their diet.

Millipedes, on the other hand, have a more cylindrical body, with each segment typicall

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