The Stone Centipede (Lithobius forficatus) is a member of the order Lithobiomorpha, characterized by a flattened body, 15 pairs of legs, and a reddish-brown to chestnut coloration. It is one of the most common centipede species encountered in gardens, under rocks, beneath bark, and in leaf litter across Arizona and the broader Southwest. Adults reach 1–1.5 inches in length and are fast-moving, agile hunters of small insects, mites, and other soil arthropods. Unlike the large Scolopendra species, Stone Centipedes are not considered medically significant — their forcipules (modified front legs used to inject venom) are generally too small to penetrate human skin effectively. They are frequently found in moist garden areas, under landscape timbers, and occasionally indoors in bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces where moisture and prey are available.