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Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda within the Phylum Arthropoda, characterized by their long segmented bodies with one pair of legs per body segment. These predatory arthropods primarily inhabit terrestrial environments and are nocturnal creatures, typically found in damp habitats such as leaf litter or under rocks. Centipedes possess venomous claws near the mouth for capturing prey, which include insects and small vertebrates. Their body structure consists of a head with antennae, mandibles, and maxillae, followed by numerous segments containing various internal organs and nerve ganglia. Despite their name, centipedes do not have 100 legs; instead, the number of legs varies depending on the species, ranging from 15 to over 300 pairs. Centipede bodies exhibit a range of sizes and shapes, with some species reaching lengths of up to 12 inches. Overall, centipedes serve an important ecological role as predators in their environments.