There are over 8,000 species of millipedes. Millipedes have long, round, worm-like segmented bodies. They have round heads with very short antennae. Millipedes have two pairs of legs on each segment of their body. They are usually 1-2 inches in length and brown or black in color.

Millipedes don’t have poison claws like centipedes. When they are threatened, they usually coil up in a ball. Some species emit a poisonous or smelly secretion. Most species of millipedes are scavengers or herbivores and eat decaying vegetation and leaf litter.