pet millipede
The giant African millipede is a large arthropod, usually about 4 to 12 inches long. They are dark brown or black in color and have two eyes and two antennae. They can have 40 or more segments, and each segment has two sets of legs. This means it can have up to 400 legs.
Very large for a millipede, they are fairly docile and the shape of their jaws prevents them from inflicting a harmful bite. It does not cause the pain of biting humans, but it does have several defense mechanisms. First, they can curl into a hard ball, and second, they can secrete a liquid made up of hydrogen cyanide that irritates the skin. They may be infrequent pets because they secrete venom, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth keeping. Witnessing such unique creatures in action is definitely an amazing experience.
What kind of enclosure should I put it in?
Giant African millipedes often live in glass enclosures. The glass allows heat to escape, so the enclosure doesn’t get too hot. A 10 or 15 gallon glass tank with a lid is best for these pets, but if you prefer a larger tank, bigger is fine.
You should choose an enclosure that is at least three times the length of the millipede and at least twice the width. Make sure the tank lid is of escape-proof construction, as tank lids are known to push open enclosure lids. To do this, put a weight on the lid, tape it down, or make sure the lid is tight.
What do you need in your enclosure?
In fact, the enclosure is very simple and requires very little.
substrate
Millipedes eat substrate, so this part is very important. It should be a mixture of soil, wood and leaves. A mixture of soil and peat moss makes a good base. They love to dig holes, so they should be about 3 to 4 inches deep. You can cover the top with fallen leaves or wood chips, but remember to freeze anything you bring in for 24 hours to keep the enclosure free of harmful things.
heating and light
Giant African millipedes are nocturnal, so they don’t need additional light sources. And since the ideal temperature is 70-80 degrees, you don’t even need a heat lamp. If your home temperature is below 70-75 degrees Celsius, a thermostatted under-tank heater will help, but be sure to keep an eye on humidity. Placing the heater on the side of the tank may help prevent the substrate from drying out too much.
humidity
The African giant millipede lives in the subtropical rainforests of West Africa, so it needs about 60% humidity. This can be achieved by misting the substrate. You can buy a hygrometer or try to keep him for a week with the soil moist and no condensation forming on the sides of the enclosure. Due to the high humidity, proper ventilation in the terrarium is necessary to prevent mold from growing on the substrate.
Can I keep more than one millipede in an enclosure?
Giant African Millipedes are not aggressive with each other, so you can keep several in the same pen. It’s important to make sure there’s enough space and you don’t have to compete for food. Another thing to keep in mind is that millipedes reproduce quickly, so if you don’t want babies, you should only keep millipedes of the same sex.
Male millipedes have a gonopod (male reproductive organ) on the 3rd or 7th body segment. Gonopods replace legs and should be easy to spot. An easy way to spot gonopods is to put a millipede in a clear cup or on a clear surface and look at it from below.
what do they eat
They feed on plant matter within their substrate, but they also eat fruits and vegetables. You can eat most fruits and vegetables. Bananas, cucumbers, leaf lettuce, melons, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are all good choices. Just be careful not to wash your food in chlorinated tap water. It only needs to be fed once a day. Just put food in a shallow dish in the morning and pick up the leftovers at night.
They get most of their moisture from the moisture in the substrate, but you can also provide dechlorinated water in a very shallow dish. Be sure to put large stones in the water dish to avoid drowning.
They need calcium. This can be provided by sprinkling the diet with calcium supplements. Alternatively, you can leave the squid bones in the enclosure.
source of information
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. The Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for personal advisors or professional advice in business, financial, legal or technical matters.
© 2021 Jess H.