Photo fromMichigan Tech School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science

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Characteristics – 
Adults have been reported to reach body lengths of 15 to 19 cm.

Juvenile and adult centipedes live alone and are most active at night. During the day they can be found in damp, dark places: under leaf litter, rocks, and logs, and in soil crevices. When the weather is too wet or too dry, or when residential construction disrupts their habitats, these pests seek other locations, including the insides of homes. Once inside a home they seek dark areas (inside shoes and clothing, under bedding, and in cracks and crevices), although they prefer areas with high humidity such as bathrooms, damp closets, and basements. The large centipede is not aggressive toward people and will bite only when disturbed or threatened.

When humans are bit, two puncture wounds are evident, and reaction to the injected venom can range from slight swelling of the immediate area to massive swelling of the affected limb. With the latter, medical attention should be sought.

Color: Uniformly dark reddish brown with no markings.