What Eats Centipedes? A Look at the Natural Predators of Centipedes

Centipedes may be fast-moving, venomous creatures, but they are also prey for a wide range of natural predators. Understanding what eats centipedes can give insight into the natural food chains and ecosystems these arthropods are part of.

Birds Are the Most Common Centipede Predators

The majority of wild birds will readily eat centipedes, especially smaller centipede species. In fact, birds are likely the most common predators of centipedes in the wild. Centipedes make for easy pickings for hungry birds searching the ground and lower vegetation for insects and invertebrates to eat.

While centipedes are prey for many bird species, there is one centipede, the Phillip Island centipede, that reverses roles and preys on seabird chicks. This centipede is estimated to consume thousands of seabird chicks per year on the small Phillip Island, located in the South Pacific as part of the Norfolk Islands.

Spiders Hunt Centipedes, Especially Young Ones

Spider species such as wolf spiders and tarantulas are predators of centipedes, especially younger, smaller centipedes. These spiders often create burrows, which passing centipedes can fall prey to. However, the roles are sometimes reversed. House centipedes are attracted to homes because of the food source spiders and other insects provide. So house centipedes end up preying on spiders and other household pests.

Mongooses Will Opportunistically Eat Centipedes

Mongooses are opportunistic predators that consume a wide variety of prey including insects centipedes birds, rodents, reptiles, and eggs. Their long, sharp claws help them dig and find centipedes and other prey hiding under soil and debris. Mongooses are common in Africa, Asia, and parts of southern Europe.

The Grasshopper Mouse Actively Hunts Centipedes

Most mice are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, grains, and fruits. However, the aptly named grasshopper mouse is actually carnivorous, feeding mostly on arthropods like centipedes. Grasshopper mice inhabit desert areas of the American southwest and specialize in hunting and eating centipedes, scorpions, and other venomous creatures Their lightning quick reflexes allow them to avoid being envenomated.

Salamanders Use Their Jaws to Swallow Centipede Prey

Salamanders are amphibians with big appetites when it comes to insects and invertebrates. They will readily consume any centipede they can fit in their mouth. Most salamanders have small teeth on their upper and lower jaws that help grip and swallow squirming prey like centipedes. Dusky salamanders of Appalachia are known to feed heavily on centipedes.

Frogs Catch Centipedes With Their Sticky Tongues

Frogs and toads prey on all sorts of insects and invertebrates, including centipedes. They use their long, sticky tongues to catch fast-moving centipedes and other prey. Of course, frogs and toads are limited in the size of centipede they can consume based on their own head and mouth size. But within those constraints, centipedes make for nutritious amphibian food.

Ground Beetles Are Fierce Centipede Hunters

The many species of ground beetles are voracious and opportunistic predators. Several species are known for actively hunting, capturing, and feeding on centipedes. These large beetles use their sharp mandibles to kill and eat their centipede prey. Ground beetles are found worldwide, and over 2,000 species inhabit North America alone, making them one of the most common centipede predators.

Snakes Employ Unique Hunting Tactics for Centipedes

There are a number of snake species around the world that prey regularly on centipedes, employing unique hunting strategies tailored to these venomous arthropods. One is the African centipede eater snake, so named because centipedes make up nearly all of its diet. Another is the grass snake, which uses its lightning quick reflexes to avoid the venomous bites of centipedes. And garter snakes are also frequent centipede predators in America. They rely on stealth and ambush to capture their prey.

Ants Swarm Over Centipedes in a Group Attack

Larger ant species like army ants have been observed attacking centipedes en masse. The ants work together to secure and transport the centipede, which cannot fight off the coordinated assault of 10, 20 or even 30 ants. Even if the centipede escapes, it likely sustains injuries from mandible bites in the process. Some ants even spray acid in centipedes’ face to immobilize them.

Chickens Will Opportunistically Eat Any Centipede They Come Across

As omnivorous foragers, chickens readily consume any insects or invertebrates they encounter while scratching and pecking their way across the yard. Centipedes make for nutritious additions to their varied diet, which may also include worms, grasshoppers, beetles, and slugs. Free range chickens are more likely to cross paths with centipedes to prey upon.

Humans In Some Cultures Eat Centipedes

Though not a common food in most cultures, some people do intentionally eat centipedes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dried and crushed centipedes are consumed for their purported health benefits. Centipedes may also be eaten as novelty foods at markets and festivals in China and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, often roasted on a stick. So the human appetite does sometimes extend to centipedes.

How Centipedes Avoid Becoming Prey

Centipedes have several defensive mechanisms to avoid predation:

• Speed – Their many legs allow for very rapid movement to flee potential threats. Centipedes can quickly take cover under rocks, logs, and burrows.

• Venomous Bite – Centipede bites inflict pain and injury on predators, making them less likely to attack. Some centipede venom can cause severe reactions.

• Pincer Grip – Centipedes use specialized claw-like legs to latch onto predators. This allows them to inflict multiple stinging, venomous strikes.

• Chemical Secretions – Some centipedes emit foul smelling or toxic secretions when threatened to deter predators.

So while centipedes do fall prey to a diverse array of natural predators, they have evolved adaptations to better survive attacks and avoid becoming a meal. Their speed, venom, and other defenses allow centipedes to thrive in habitats alongside their many predators. Understanding the natural food web dynamics illustrates the ecosystem roles these fascinating arthropods fill.