Do millipedes have stink glands?
Well, they don’t always stink but some do have special glands on their sides that can emit a foul-smelling fluid to repel enemies. If you pick up a millipede, you may get a whiff of that smell but be careful because the fluid can cause small blisters on the skin of some people.
How does a millipede defend itself?
When attacked, millipedes curl their bodies into tight spirals to protect their soft undersides. This coil shape also protects their heads and legs. They sometimes burrow to bury themselves when disturbed, using their front legs to push away the soil.
How many body parts does a millipede have?
two
The body of a millipede is divided into two distinct parts, the head and the trunk. The head is at the front of the animal, and is easy to identify because it houses the eyes, antennae and mouthparts.
What is special about millipedes?
Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name being derived from this feature. Most millipedes are slow-moving detritivores, eating decaying leaves and other dead plant matter.
Why do millipedes come into the house?
Excess rain, drought, and cooler temperatures can make their outdoor habitats less favorable for them and you will often see millipedes in the house during these conditions. Excess rain will drive them indoors in search of shelter and drought will drive them indoors in search of water.
Are millipedes a bad sign?
Good News, Bad News Millipedes are harmless. They can not bite or sting and they do not feed on structures, furnishings or landscape plants. They do feed on damp and decaying plant material and are ecologically beneficial as “recyclers” of organic matter.
What kind of chemical does a millipede secrete?
Modern millipedes have glands they can use to force out irritating or poisonous chemicals. Some millipede species secrete sticky substances that bind to and trap any intruders, such as ants. Others are less passive. It may take up to four months for some species to replenish their chemical stocks
Where are the millipedes found in the world?
Millipedes are arthropods in the class ‘diplopoda’. This class contains around 10,000 species, 15 orders and 115 families. Millipedes are found in most parts of the world from back gardens to Rainforests, on all continents except Antarctica. The Class Diplopoda is divided into three subclasses.
Why are millipedes important to the forest floor?
Millipedes can be important in calcium cycling. They have a calcareous exoskeleton, and because of their high densities they can be a significant sink for calcium. Millipedes are major consumers of fallen leaf litter, and may process some 15–25% of calcium input into hardwood forest floors.
How does the exoskeleton of a millipede protect it?
They are able to reinforce their tunnels by rearranging the particles around it. Millipedes have a hard exoskeleton helps to protect them against predators. When threatened, they coil up into a ball to protect the more vulnerable underside.
Modern millipedes have glands they can use to force out irritating or poisonous chemicals. Some millipede species secrete sticky substances that bind to and trap any intruders, such as ants. Others are less passive. It may take up to four months for some species to replenish their chemical stocks
Millipedes can be important in calcium cycling. They have a calcareous exoskeleton, and because of their high densities they can be a significant sink for calcium. Millipedes are major consumers of fallen leaf litter, and may process some 15–25% of calcium input into hardwood forest floors.
Millipedes are arthropods in the class ‘diplopoda’. This class contains around 10,000 species, 15 orders and 115 families. Millipedes are found in most parts of the world from back gardens to Rainforests, on all continents except Antarctica. The Class Diplopoda is divided into three subclasses.
They are able to reinforce their tunnels by rearranging the particles around it. Millipedes have a hard exoskeleton helps to protect them against predators. When threatened, they coil up into a ball to protect the more vulnerable underside.
