Hey adventurers!

This is an American giant millipede. It's scientific name is Narceus americanus. It's not an insect (bugs have three body segments and six legs - this guy has a whole lot more!). Millipedes are arthropods. This is a big family of invertebrate animals (animals without bones) that includes bugs, spiders, and crustaceans (lobsters, shrimp, and crabs).

American giant millipedes can grow to a length of four inches and live for two years or more. How many legs do they have? Typically, about 200.

Do millipedes bite? No, these millipedes eat decaying wood and plants. Unlike the similar-looking centipedes, millipedes do not bite. But they do have a powerful defense mechanism. If frightened, they can secrete a chemical that may irritate your skin. So if you see a millipede, don't squish it or pick it up. Let it go about its business. It has an important role to play in its forest home.

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