Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Does a millipede really have 1000 feet?

                          Does a millipede really have 1000 feet?

Since it is rainy season , I see a lot of millipedes moving in our backyard. We call it as " cherante " in Tulu. They walk slowly but will cover a large distance in a small span of time. When touched, they wrap themselves making a "chakkuli".
Millipede , name does mean 1000 footed . Some millipedes actually do have 1000 feet. But not all. Some millipedes have more than 1000 feet ,and some have less
Millipedes eat decaying leaves and other dead plant matter.
Due to their lack of speed , millipedes primary defense mechanism is to curl into a tight coil - protecting their delicate legs.