Millipede

Yesterday afternoon I was walking on the road and suddenly I saw a strange and beautiful insect moving slowly on the ground as if it was trying to reach its destination I stopped because the structure and color of this small creature of nature caught my attention I immediately took out my mobile and took a few pictures so that I could share this beauty with you The name of this insect is Millipede In Bengali many people call it Hajarpa or Gajmuri Although it does not really have a thousand legs it is named this because of the large number of legs Millipede usually lives in moist and shady places They are more often seen under forests dry leaves wet soil or wooden logs.

The body of this millipede I saw was long and round black with rows of white and yellow spots that looked like a work of art Next to each segment were small legs that moved together as if moving in rhythm with a beautiful melody From the side it looked like small golden pearls were placed in a row The millipede moves very slowly and does not rush Maybe this slowness is a strategy for its survival They mainly eat rotten leaves dry plant debris and organic matter so they are beneficial to nature because they help break down dead plants and return them to the soil which increases soil fertility.

The millipede I saw was probably out in search of food or a new shelter It was moving slowly over small particles of soil and stones sometimes turning sometimes moving straight There was a light breeze blowing in the surrounding environment and the afternoon light fell on its body giving it a beautiful shimmer These animals are generally calm and harmless to humans but for self-defense some species release a mildly smelling chemical that keeps predators away so you have to be careful if you want to catch them with your hands I was definitely content with taking pictures from a distance because touching is not necessary to enjoy the beauty of nature seeing is enough.

The way millipedes walk seems quite unique to me. So many legs move up and down at the same time as if they are dancing to the beat of some invisible music When I was a child I read in a book that millipedes are one of the oldest land animals on earth They have survived for billions of years adapting to time so seeing them is actually seeing a living history of nature This little experience yesterday afternoon made my day special Seeing such strange and beautiful creatures in the hustle and bustle of the city or the quiet nature of the village reminds me that we humans are not alone in this world Numerous species of animals coexist with us.

It is our responsibility to respect these tiny inhabitants of nature and create a suitable environment for them to survive because they silently play an important role in maintaining the balance of the environment Next time if you come across a millipede or any other small creature while walking I hope you will stop and enjoy its beauty maybe even take a picture as I did The millipede that day may have gone far away now but its colorful body slow movement and calm presence remain etched in my mind These simple yet extraordinary moments of nature teach us that beauty is not always hidden in big things but in small surprises.