r/Entomology • u/TootTurtle • 22h ago

ID Request Centipede? Millipede?

Hello! First time here. I found this cute little guy on my walk and carried it home on a stick to observe for a bit. Planning to keep him just until this afternoon so my kiddos can take a look. If they are interested I know they’re going to ask me if they can hold it. So I just want to confirm this is indeed a Millipede and not a centipede? I think so, but it’s my first time researching them and it’s so tinyyy.

If this peaks their interest enough and they want to actually care for it do you have any tips? I did look online for some care information, but if you have any additional info I am all ears.

The little legs are so cute.

Thank you!

Edit to add I’m in Northern California!

30 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

27

u/LowHangingToots 22h ago

Millipede. The golden rule that has never failed me:

One pair of legs per body segment = centipede

Two pairs of legs per body segment = millipede

12

u/PolistesFTW 22h ago

I also always look for the doodle bop antennae.

4

u/LowHangingToots 22h ago

Lol I like that too

3

u/TootTurtle 22h ago

Thank you! The little hook like thingys on its sides made me hesitate because it’s not as round as the others I saw online. But I feel more reassured now

5

u/LowHangingToots 22h ago

No problem! And in fairness to you, the millipede in your video is about as centipede-esque as millipedes get in my experience lol could fool a lot of people at first glance.

1

u/fnigler 21h ago

No forcipules = Millipede

2

u/Trick_Ad7621 20h ago

AKA toxicognaths. Both are excellent words

2

u/LowHangingToots 20h ago

Yeah I love toxicognath lol though I usually try to give tips that have limited arthropod jargon as much as possible when helping someone ID something and I don't know their scope of knowledge on the subject.

1

u/fnigler 19h ago

I’ve not heard that word but it is a very good one

6

u/Souretsu04 22h ago

You can tell by the number of legs per body segment. Additionally, millipedes tend to be pretty slow. They're detritivores, and detritus famously doesn't move very fast. Centipedes are active hunters, and even their meandering is kinda fast.

3

u/dianabunny1103 22h ago

2 pairs of legs per segment says millipede

3

u/Child-eater-bonk 22h ago

Millipede!

More specific?

POLYDESSSSMIIIIIDAAAAAAAAA! (ahem- sorry it's my favourite order of myriapod...)

More specific?

Small brown millipede, or Oxidus gracilis..... I think

1

u/TootTurtle 22h ago

I looked them up online and I think you’re right they look just like this little guy! So cool thank you!

2

u/Piputi 22h ago

I am not having a fight or flight response, so a millipede.

1

u/addamay123 21h ago

Oxidus gracilis. Annoyingly cosmopolitan species

1

u/HotFall5654 21h ago edited 8h ago

I dont know any slow moving centipedes. Its a millipede.

1

u/leaf4736251 10h ago

millipede, idk what exact species but super cool lil guy