Giant creatures already roamed the Earth millions of years ago, and they’re the usual suspects: enormous birds, dinosaurs, mammoths, and reptiles1.
But imagine taking a stroll through the forest and coming face to face with a millipede the size of a small car. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? But believe it or not, this massive creature actually existed hundreds of millions of years ago.
That’s right, Arthropleura, the largest millipede to ever crawl the Earth, was a sight to behold.
1. The Biggest Bug That Ever Lived
Measuring up to 8.5 feet long and 1.6 feet wide, Arthropleura was an absolute unit.
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This prehistoric millipede weighed around 110 pounds, making it the largest land invertebrate in Earth’s history. It even surpassed the size of ancient sea scorpions, which previously held the title of the biggest arthropod.
To put its size into perspective, Arthropleura was about as long as a small car and as heavy as a large dog. Its incredible dimensions have earned it the nickname “the car-sized millipede”.
2. Thriving During the Carboniferous Period
Arthropleura roamed the Earth during the Carboniferous Period, which lasted from about 359 to 299 million years ago.
This was long before the age of dinosaurs, and the world looked quite different back then. The climate was much warmer and more humid, with vast swamps and forests covering the land.
During this time, the oxygen levels in the atmosphere were significantly higher than they are today, which may have contributed to the gigantic size of Arthropleura and other invertebrates. But recent findings suggest that other environmental factors, such as abundant food sources and lack of predators, likely played a more significant role in their growth. (ref)
3. An Armored Tank on Many Legs
Arthropleura had a long, segmented body covered in hard, protective plates. Each segment had two pairs of legs, with estimates ranging from 32 to 64 legs in total. Its exoskeleton was divided into three lobes, resembling a trilobite.
The creature’s head is still a bit of a mystery, as no fossilized head has been found yet. However, based on its closest relatives, scientists believe it had non-filamentous antennae and trumpet-like organs.
4. Leaving Massive Tracks in Its Wake
While complete Arthropleura fossils are rare, its tracks have been found in various locations across North America and Europe. These fossilized footprints, known as trackways, can measure up to 20 inches wide.
By studying these tracks, researchers have been able to estimate the size and movement patterns of these giant millipedes.
One of the most impressive trackways was discovered in Scotland, revealing that Arthropleura could move in both straight lines and curves. This suggests that despite its size, the millipede was quite agile and could navigate various terrains.
5. A Likely Herbivore Diet
Although the exact diet of Arthropleura remains uncertain due to the lack of fossilized mouthparts, most evidence points towards an herbivorous lifestyle. Millipedes today are primarily decomposers, feeding on decaying plant matter, and it’s likely that Arthropleura had a similar diet.
Some fossilized remains have been found with plant material in the gut region, further supporting the idea that Arthropleura was a plant-eater. The lush forests of the Carboniferous Period would have provided an abundant food source for these giant millipedes.
6. Few Predators to Fear
Given its impressive size and armored body, Arthropleura probably had very few predators. Its exoskeleton was relatively thin but still provided ample protection against potential threats. The millipede’s sheer bulk would have made it a formidable opponent for any would-be attacker.
Some scientists speculate that Arthropleura’s large size may have evolved as a defense mechanism, making it virtually invulnerable to predation as an adult. (ref) This allowed the millipede to thrive in its environment without much competition.
7. Adapting to Various Habitats
Early discoveries of Arthropleura fossils in coal seams led researchers to believe that these millipedes primarily inhabited humid swamps. However, more recent findings suggest that they lived in a wider range of environments, including open woodlands near the coast.
Arthropleura fossils and trackways have been found in locations that would have been near the equator during the Carboniferous Period, such as modern-day North America and the United Kingdom. This indicates that the millipedes preferred warm, vegetated areas with ample food sources.
8. The Mystery of Its Extinction
After ruling the Earth for approximately 45 million years, Arthropleura vanished during the Permian Period. The exact cause of its extinction is still unknown, but several theories have been proposed.
One possibility is that global warming during the Permian Period led to a drier climate, making it difficult for Arthropleura to survive. (ref) Another theory suggests that the rise of reptiles, which competed with the millipedes for food and habitat, may have contributed to their demise.
Source:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/after-dinosaurs-went-extinct-these-ten-giant-creatures-roamed-the-earth-180982010/
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.