{"id":1076,"date":"2020-09-14T15:35:25","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T15:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/?p=1076"},"modified":"2021-08-14T22:34:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-14T22:34:47","slug":"keeping-and-care-for-millipedes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/keeping-and-care-for-millipedes\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping And Care For Gaint Millipedes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Millipedes are fascinating anthropods, and it is mesmerizing to observe how those many little feet wave and make the tubular body move forwards. Many millipede species are hardy, are easy to keep and take care of, although, you need to make proper preparations to fully enjoy the life of millipedes. But first, let’s find out more about millipedes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

About millipedes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Millipedes belong together with centipedes and other multi-legged bug creatures to the group of myriapods \u2014 where the name ‘myriad’ actually means 10.000, the multi-legged creature that has the most legs (Illacme plenipes<\/em>) has “only” 750 legs. There are about 12.000 species of millipedes described, making it the largest class within the multi-legged animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A millipedes primary defence is to curl up into a coil to protect their delicate underbody with their hard outer exoskeleton. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morphology and anatomy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Millipedes belong to the phylum anthropods and have an exoskeleton made out of many segments. Millipedes are characterised by having two pair of feet on most body segments, which are actually two single segments that are fused together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first ‘segment’ don’t have legs, and it contains the antennae, mouthparts and eyes (ocular field). Where sight is presumably only limited to see the difference between light and dark, and some ultraviolet light, their sense of touch is more developed. Although they can hear they feel vibrations through their body and legs. The antennae are used to smell and taste. The last segment also hasn’t a pair of feet, and this is where the anal valves are located, sometimes also called the anal segment. On the second segment is the sexual apparatus located. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The respiratory system contains two pairs of spiracles on each fused segment \u2014 the ones with two legs \u2014 and is used to breathe. Along the trunk, the section after the head is the digestive system. They use bacteria to help break down the detritus that is eaten. Their mouthparts <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Millipedes vs centipedes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although millipedes and centipedes belong to the same group of multi-legged species, there are some distinctive features which make them different. Millipedes have two pair of legs per segment \u2014 or two segments fused together, are docile and are detritivores, eating on decaying wood, leaves and plant matters. Centipedes, on the contrary, have one pair of feet on each segment, are predominantly carnivores and eat mostly insects, and are venomous and can inflict painful bites. Millipedes are also generally slow-moving, where centipedes can be rather quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where do millipedes live?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A better question would be, where do they not live? Millipedes occur on every continent (except Antarctica). The most of giant millipedes (up to 35cm\/14″) can be found in the tropics, but many millipedes live in temperate habitats as well. Generally, these latter millipedes are much smaller, up to 2cm (0.8″). They typically live in leaf litter, dead wood, or up or just below the soil. However, there are some exceptions, where millipedes live in deserts, caves, and even the alpines. Most millipedes prefer a more humid environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are millipedes dangerous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, due to their lack of speed and the inability to bite\/sting, they are not dangerous or harmful to humans. Millipedes primary defence is to curl into a coil protecting their delicate lower body with their hard outer exoskeleton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, many species also emit a smelling liquid secretion when feeling endangered. Among the secretion, hydrogen cyanide can be found and can irritate and may burn the skin a bit. Some people are more sensitive to this secretion than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common millipede species as pets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many millipede species are kept as a pet. But the species that are kept are often the more giant and tropical ones. Although this care guide focuses more on keeping the African giant black millipede (Archipirostreptus gigas<\/em>) \u2014 the most common millipede \u2014 many information and practical tips are useful for any tropical giant millipede species kept in captivity. Not all millipede species are evenly successful in being held at home, and some needs just a bit more experience. Some popular millipede species that are kept are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Madagascan fire millipede<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Aphistogoniulus sp.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ivory millipede<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Chicobolus spinigerus<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Florida giant millipede \/ Smokey oak millipede<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Narceus gordanus<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Chocolate millipede<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Ophistreptus quineensis<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rainbow millipede<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Apeuthes spp.<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: there are some reports that Vietnamese rainbow millipede (tonkinbolus dollfusi<\/em>) can be quite hard to keep and breed. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bumblebee millipede<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Anadenobolus monilicornis <\/em>or Anadenobolus modestior<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: can be a bit more difficult to keep and breed<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Texas giant gold millipede \/ Pumpkin millipede \/ Desert millipede<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(Orthoporus ornatus<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: can be a bit more difficult to keep and breed<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although many people, but also pet shops, use their common names, and unfortunately often different names are used for the same species. This poor naming convention makes it sometimes difficult to clarify which species is meant with a particular name. Therefore it is good practice always to use (additionally) the Latin name instead \u2014 or sometimes called the scientific name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAUTION<\/strong>: Pill millipedes (Glomeridans spp. and Sphaerotheriidans spp.) do not make good pets. There is not enough knowledge about these species (yet) and many die prematurely in captivity (already within weeks to a couple of months). You can look at keeping isopods (pill bugs and sow bugs) instead. Although much smaller, they have similar shapes and many isopods have bright and beautiful colours. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How to keep millipedes as a pet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From this point on, we focus on how to keep and how to care for your millipedes. This general care guide can be used for most tropical and common giant millipedes in captivity. Although many information is useful for the many species, it is always useful to do your own research on its specific wild habitat and their requirements. First, we will discuss how to set up the enclosure and create a proper environment \u2014 the so-called captive habitat \u2014 as a foundation and decent start for keeping millipedes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habitat setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to set up a habitat to keep your millipede safely and healthy for its entire life, and if you have males and females also breed successfully. The habitat needs to be an enclosed space that prevents escapes and will keep the environment stable. Important features are the ventilation capacity of the enclosure, the closing of doors and openings and, of course, the visibility to enjoy your millipede pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget that the location of the enclosure is equally important. Not only to create a proper environment, but also the safety of your millipedes. Make sure that the enclosure is placed stable and can’t be knocked over quickly. Also make sure that free walking pets can’t break into the enclosure, damage it or knock over. Also, never place an enclosure into direct sunlight. Not only do you risk of overheating the enclosure and therefore the animals, but it also causes the substrate to dry out very quickly (more on that later on). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enclosure type<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are different types of enclosures you can use to keep millipedes. We will discuss the most common used enclosures that are proven to work well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n