#polyxenidae

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Millipedes are known for having lots and lots of legs, but not all of them can live up to the hype. One of the smallest millipedes, the bristly millipede, has only 13 pairs of legs! But that's still quite a lot when you consider that adults are only 4 mm (0.15 in) long.

(Image: A bristly millipede (Polyxenus lagurus) by Gilles San Martin)

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Bristle millipedes, Polyxenus lagurus, Polyxenidae

Photographed in Portugal by axelgosseries

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[onenicebugperday]

Bristly millipede, Polyxenus laguru, Polyxenidae

This tiny millipede (2-3mm) is found in Europe and North America. Its detachable bristles are used as a defense against predators.

Photo 1 by alexis_orion, 2-3 by renko, 4 by glandarius, 5-7 by reiner, 8 (with springtail) by mareks16021974, and 9 for scale by gerrit_oehm

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