A Hundred Legs You Don't Want Crawling Around

Centipede

Centipede bite in early stage

     Centipedes are low-profile bugs.  They usually remain hidden in leaf litter or other subterranean areas.  Did you know that there are over 8000 species of centipede?  They are scattered all over the world except in extremely cold conditions.  Centipedes are usually shades of reddish brown.  Centipedes can be from a few millimeters to 30 centimeters.  They can sometimes be translucent in color due to being in the dark for extended periods of time.  Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment.  All centipedes must have an odd number of pairs of legs.  Ironically, it is impossible for a centipede to have 100 legs because it would need an even set of pairs to have 100 legs. 

     Centipedes have a very painful bite.  Although centipede bites are meant to paralyze their prey, if a human gets bitten, it can be tragic.  The victim will get paresthesia, the itching sensation around the bite.  They may also experience edema, when a serum secretes from the bite.  Necrosis may also occur.  Necrosis is when the cells around the bite die off.  If left untreated, it can result in death.  Luckily, there is anti-venom that will prevent further damage.  Unfortunately, it cannot reverse previous damage.  I would not be able to make it if a centipede bit me.  I would panic.  What would you do if a centipede bit you?

Video courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/
Medical information courtesy of http://www.pubmed.gov/