40jalased

40jalased is a term of Estonian origin that literally translates to "forty-legged." It is not a recognized scientific classification of any animal. The term is most commonly used informally and playfully to refer to centipedes, which are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda. While centipedes can have a varying number of legs, many species have a body plan that can appear to have a great many legs when in motion, leading to the descriptive, albeit inaccurate, moniker.

Centipedes are characterized by having one pair of legs per body segment, with the exception of the segment behind the head and the last two segments. The number of leg-bearing segments can vary significantly between species, resulting in total leg counts that can range from 30 to over 350. Despite the common association with "forty legs," this number is not typical for most centipede species. The term "40jalased" therefore functions more as a general descriptor for creatures perceived as having numerous legs rather than a precise count.

These arthropods are predatory, possessing a pair of venomous claws, called forcipules, located on the first segment of their body. They are found in diverse habitats worldwide, typically in moist environments such as under logs, stones, and leaf litter. Their predatory nature and appearance have sometimes led to them being viewed with apprehension, contributing to the use of descriptive, informal names.