In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Centipede in 5 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Centipede.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Centipede - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: For the body, draw a long, arcing cylindrical shape.
Step 2: Segment off the body with many short lines.
Step 3: On one side of the body, draw a lot of short, thin legs.
Step 4: Draw similar short, thin legs on the other side.
Step 5: Finally, draw the antennae and you're done!
Interesting Facts about the Centipede
Centipedes belong to a group of arthropods because they are small invertebrates. Believe it or not, there are over eight thousand species of centipedes that are located all throughout the world. This includes up in the Arctic. Even though they live in forests and rainforests, they prefer dark, moist places. The most common place to find them is under rocks, rotting wood, and under decomposing leaves. With all of the species still in existence, the Centipede has not made it onto the Endangered Species list.
Did you know?
- Their bodies are covered in flexible shells that come in a variety of colors
- Centipede is derived from Latin and means “One Hundred Legs”
- Some centipedes have a few as thirty legs
- Their first set of legs usually is not for walking
- Predators include birds, mammals, snakes, and frogs
Lesson Plan Idea – Centipedes are creepy crawlies who live under rocks – but what is the point? What do they do that is beneficial to our ecosystem?
How to Draw a Centipede – Step-by-Step Tutorial