Under nearly every rock, piece of bark or pile of dead leaves in the desert you are bound to encounter any number of animals - from termites to rattlesnakes. Here are some of those animals we just love to hate.

This Giant Desert Centipede is a relatively dangerous creature whose bite is very painful and venomous but not deadly. This is not the kind of creature you would like to find in your boots in the morning. They have a pair of legs on each body segment and always have an odd number of pairs of legs, either 21 or 23 pairs. They have been known to grow to nearly 12 inches in length but 6 to 8 inches is probably more common in this area. They can move FAST. They feed on any animal they are able to overcome - including their own kind. They are ever ready to bite if you attempt to handle them and the tips of their legs are equipped with needle sharp "toes." As with most desert animals, they are primarily active at night. However, it is not unusual to see them during daylight hours.

Scorpions There are, perhaps, a half dozen or so species of scorpions that might be encountered in the area, all of them relatively small - 2 to 3 inches in length. All are capable of inflicting a painful sting but none in this area is considered as deadly. The species shown is known as the striped bark scorpion or, simply, striped scorpion. It is one of the most common scorpions in our area and frequently shows up in homes. All scorpions feed on insects and other small arthropods.

Millipede The millipede may look menacing but it is totally harmless. It can release a rather nasty liquid from its body if it is handled and feels threatened, however. As long as you don't swallow the liquid or get it into your eyes, it is harmless. These slow moving arthropods may be seen at anytime of the day during the warmer months. Most are about 4 to 5 inches in length. They wander the desert looking for dead vegetation to feed upon.

Tarantulas These giant hairy spiders are really quite gentle creatures - at least those found in this area of the Chihuahuan Desert. They are venomous but are quite reluctant to bite. The rains that usually begin in late June or early July will stimulate the male spiders to begin wandering the desert at night in search of a mate. Males live for about 5 years but females may live as long as 20 years. Tarantulas feed on a variety of small animals, including rodents, lizards and snakes.