Holy freaking bug!

[DragonsEye]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Centipedes are my downfall. It was dead, and I still screamed loudly when hubby touched it.

Nice pede. I need to get another one someday ... my last one "kicked the bucket".

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

Millipedes have more legs, generally held in 'pairs' when they walk,

Millies have two pairs of legs per body segment ... centipedes have just one pair per segment.

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

generally have 'round top' bodies (think round like a straw), and will ball (or coil) up when threatened (I believe)

They also dont move very fast

Spot on.

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

or secrete some nasty smelling stuff to try and scare you off.

Some species actually take chemical warfare a bit further and emit cyanide gas or cyanide laced liquids (or other toxic compounds) to defend themselves. Most just go the bad taste route. Interestingly, those species which can emit cyanide compounds (liquid or gaseous) are themselves immune to those same toxins when exposed to them.

In addition, while many species will eat live vegetation, most are either partially or exclusively detriovores (feed on dead/decaying organic matter).

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

large biting pincers which are usually tucked by their head, and the legs increase in length the farther down the body they are (to avoid hitting the leg in front of it),

Legs along the midsections of the body tend to be the same length. It is amongst the anterior and posterior segments where you'll find the differences in leg length.

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

centipedes are pretty bright in coloration as well.

Many species are dark or drab in coloration, though there are indeed some brightly colored ones.

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

Centipedes have LARGE antennae at their head (and also what look like antennae at their other end, view the pic of that one up there to see what I mean, lol),
If it's got two sets of antennae, one at each end, and thick long legs, it's probably a centipede.

Only one pair of antennae and that at the head end. There are two long antenna-like legs at the tail end of the body. It is thought to be a means of confusing a would be predator as to where the head is as well as which way a still centipede will move.

Centipedes are all predators though most will also scavenge on dead animals.

Additionally, centipedes tend to be fast movers. (Not surprising since, unlike millies, their food items are not likely to just sit there and allow themselves to be eaten. )

All centipedes have venom. Despite this, most of the small species commonly found in North America will not bite even when handled (such as the long legged centipede often found in buildings). If these smaller species do bite, results will typically be on par with the pain of a bee/wasp sting. The larger species commonly found in the tropics and subtropical regions can deliver quite a painful bite if threatened with the pain lasting a week or more with some species.