# House Centipede (*Scutigera coleoptrata*) The House Centipede is a fast little creature with many legs! They run around at night, helping to keep your home free of bugs. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 29 - **Habitat:** Homes and buildings - **Also known as:** House Scutigera, Scutigera ![House Centipede](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425900/objects/5581.jpg) ## Appearance The House Centipede has a yellowish-grey to brown body with three distinct dark stripes running down its back. It is visually striking due to its extremely long, delicate, and numerous legs that extend far beyond its flattened body, making it appear very spidery. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Chilopoda - **Order:** Scutigeromorpha - **Family:** Scutigeridae - **Genus:** Scutigera ## Interesting facts - Centipedes are not insects, but ancient relatives with many more legs! - House Centipedes can eat over 50 tiny bugs in just one night! - Their last pair of legs are extra-long and can trick predators into attacking the wrong end! - They meticulously clean their long antennae by pulling them through their mouthparts! ## Special abilities - **Super Sprint:** House Centipede can run up to 1.3 feet per second, ambushing prey because of its incredibly long, agile legs. - **Venomous Grab:** House Centipede has modified front legs that act as fangs, injecting venom to quickly paralyze prey for an easy meal. - **Leg Escape:** House Centipede can detach a leg if caught by a predator, allowing it to escape while the leg twitches as a distraction. - **Vibrating Sensors:** House Centipede has super-long antennae covered in hairs that detect tiny air vibrations to find prey in total darkness. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 25-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 1095-2555 days - **Leg Count:** 30 ## Diet & Feeding These quick hunters feast on common household pests using their venomous bite. - **Primary Foods:** spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, termites - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** German Cockroach (*Blattella germanica*) — Keeps household populations of this pest in check. - **Hunts:** Silverfish (*Lepisma saccharina*) — Actively preys on these common household paper-eaters. - **Hunts:** Common House Spider (*Tegenaria domestica*) — Often preys on spiders found in human dwellings. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Sometimes caught and eaten by curious house cats. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify House Centipede? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is House Centipede? 25-60 mm ### How long does House Centipede live? 1095-2555 days ### What does House Centipede eat? These quick hunters feast on common household pests using their venomous bite. ### Where is House Centipede usually found? Homes and buildings ### How does House Centipede hunt? Pursuit ### How many legs does House Centipede have? 30 ## Where to spot - [Centennial Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Center Square/Hudson–Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/center-square-hudson-park-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/historic-moravian-bethlehem-historic-district) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic District - [Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/humboldt-alexander-von-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Lake Fairfax Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-fairfax-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see House Centipede](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/house-centipede) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [House Centipede: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-centipede)