Giant Desert Centipede (Craz's
posterior) by Jerry Cates |
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The underside of the centipede's posterior shows two physiological regions, each attached to one of the posterior prehensile appendages. In the photo on the right, these regions are reddish in color, and appear more robust than the surrounding tissues. These appear to be ovipositors, which would make this specimen a female. |
The last segment
on the centipede's body has two legs that stick out in the form of a
"V". These are "prehensile" legs, which means they are
capable of wrapping around, grasping, and seizing objects. These legs are
used to seize smaller organisms that the centipede wants to feed on.
When a larger animal attempts to attack, it often mistakes the last segment for the head, thinking the prehensile legs are antennae. When this happens the centipede is able to arch around and give its antagonist a good fight, and usually manages to escape.
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