Question

Why do centipedes wriggle when they walk?

A. They have numerous pairs of legs.
B. It helps with balance and maneuverability.
C. Their body is flexible and segmented.
D. It aids in navigating through various terrains.

Answer 1

Centipedes, like the common house centipede with 15 pairs of legs, wriggle when they walk due to their numerous legs, flexible and segmented bodies, which aid in balance, maneuverability, and navigation through different terrains.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question why centipedes wriggle when they walk can be attributed to several factors relating to their biological structure and behavior. While centipedes don't have exactly one hundred legs, the common house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) has up to 15 pairs of legs. Their movement is characterized by a wriggling motion due to the following reasons:

• The numerous pairs of legs they possess is a key factor, allowing complex coordinated movements.
• Flexibility and segmentation of their bodies enable them to make a wriggling motion for balance and maneuverability.
• Being arthropods with a segmented body structure aids in their ability to navigate through various terrains.

Centipedes are also predatory carnivores, and their flexible and segmented body allows them to quickly capture prey with precision.