O snake louse It is an insect belonging to the millipede class, that is, it has a pair of legs on each segment of the body. Some species of this animal can have up to 750 legs. In the same family as the snake louse, you can also find the centipede.
Snake lice can live on top of leaves, logs or rocks, however, it is also possible to see some of them inside houses. This animal likes moisture in the place it chooses to live.
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Are snake lice poisonous?
The snake louse does not have structures, claws or stingers to inject any kind of venom, so it is not poisonous. It feeds only on already dead organic matter, that is, it does not need to capture any species of animal to survive.
This insect does not sting, does not scratch and does not bite. As a defense mechanism, it pretends to be dead by wrapping itself around its own body and releasing a strong odor when it feels threatened.
Therefore, they are harmless and not dangerous. However, when humans decide to crush or step on the snake louse, it can release a substance that turns the skin purple, which can cause minor irritations.
Snake louse reproduction
There is the male snake lice and the female snake lice. The female has a genital opening on the second pair of legs, and the male has a modified leg on the seventh segment of his body.
In this segment it is possible to transfer a protein capsule containing spermatozoa to the female. When this occurs, the female is fertilized. Thus, it can be said that the snake louse has sexual reproduction, with internal fertilization and direct development.
snake lice pictures
Below you will find a selection of snake louse images:
See too:
- Earthworms – Characteristics, functions and importance for the environment
- 11 Invertebrate Animals