{"id":3628,"date":"2021-03-15T12:23:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T12:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/?p=3628"},"modified":"2022-07-20T10:11:40","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T10:11:40","slug":"millipedes-communal-setups-discussed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/millipedes-communal-setups-discussed\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Millipedes Live Together With…? [Communal Setups Discussed]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you found this article, you probably ask yourself if you can keep millipedes together with other animals. I asked myself the same a few years ago. Although there is some information out there, I still wanted to test if the combination of different species together with millipedes would be successful. Combining different species in one enclosure is called ‘communal setup<\/strong>‘ or ‘mixed-species exhibit<\/strong>‘. This article will discuss if you can keep millipedes with different other animals in a communal setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can successfully keep millipedes together with isopods, beetles, snails and cockroaches if you provide enough living room for each species, and the needed living conditions are more or less the same for each species. You can also combine millipedes with species that live in another layer in the enclosure, like stick insects, for example. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several different combinations can be very successful and increase the diversity and activity in your enclosure. In other words, it is more interesting to look at your enclosure with more different species in it. Millipedes are not always the most active pet species, and they often hide in the substrate. However, you can’t just add species together without considering some important aspects. We will discuss how you can best combine different animals with millipedes in one enclosure and talk about which combinations have proven successful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can millipedes live together with… some important notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, I like to make some important notes on combining different species in one enclosure. There are some things to think about. Every animal has its own needs. If you have already a couple of millipedes you know they need a certain enclosure space and like to have a good layer of a substrate. Many millipedes are best to keep a bit warmer than room temperature by using a heat lamp or heating pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what about the other species? There are three aspects you need to consider!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Larger surface
or height<\/h3><\/div>
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When you want to combine different species in one enclosure, you often need a large(r) enclosure \u2014 like you do when keeping more individuals of the same species. Although this seems obvious, it is not always done or thought of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good rule of thumb is to use the largest species’ surface requirements and multiply it by 1\u00bd. For example, if your primary or largest animal needs 12″ x 12″ x 12″ (30cm x 30cm x 30cm), you now need an enclosure that is 18″ x 18″ x 18″(45cm x 45cm x 45cm). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For millipedes, the surface is important, but for some species (like stick insects), the height is more important. Then, you don’t need to increase the surface of the enclosure but need a higher enclosure. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Similar climate requirements<\/h3><\/div>
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You can only combine species that have the same climate requirements like temperature, humidity and light. They don’t need to be exactly the same, but at least the optimal ranges for both (or all species) need to have an overlap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you can’t combine a species that likes to have it dry and hot together with (most) millipedes. Millipedes like to have a humid substrate and to be kept just above room temperature. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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No food competition
or predation<\/h3><\/div>
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Although it seems easy when both species eat the same food, it can cause food competition. When combining different species, it is easier to search for species with other dietary preferences (as long as it is not each other). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have species that eat from the same food source, you need to provide it in larger quantities and at multiple locations in the enclosure. That way, animals can avoid each other and don’t have to compete for food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also consider that some species won’t eat each other as adults, but one can predate youngs, hatchlings or eggs of the other. To some degree, that is not a problem, but eventually, one species will push away the other species (for example, when one species will have more breeding success and rise in numbers). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Recommended read:<\/strong> How to make your garden a home for insects with 9 practical tips<\/a>. <\/div>