### id260185321 millipedes use chemical defenses > Despite being docile, there is also evidence that millipedes were one of the first animals to produce chemical defenses, and the first to have external genitalia, Means said. One of those defenses is cyanide. One species called cherry millipedes releases hydrogen cyanide to fend off predators—a chemical [that can smell like](https://theconversation.com/scientists-at-work-capturing-beautiful-millipedes-in-ohio-30118) cherries (and sometimes almonds). - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01fq9js1m1zhvnefv1sw7294sx) - [[Scientists Have Identified the First 'True' Millipede by Shayla Love#id260185321 millipedes use chemical defenses|View in Vault]]