Keeping Giant Millipedes

Introduction to Millipedes

Giant millipedes have become fairly common as household pets. Their shere size proves quite an attraction, and they are a favourite with both young kids, and adults alike. Although looking fairly sinister, millipedes are totally harmless to humans, unlike the sometimes confused; centipede. The only real defense method they have (apart from rolling themselves into a ball), is secreting a cyanide based substance onto a potential predator.

Millipedes are good to keep as exotic pets, as they are fairly tollerant to handling. These docile inverts will usually just crawl around your hand, however larger african species will usually roll into a ball, and sometimes secrete their chemical onto your hand.

These wonderful beasts originate from all over the world, even in the UK. However, UK species rarely reach more than 2 inches in length. Most of the giant species originate from hot climates, some, desert climates, but none living in extreme cold, or arctic climates.

Millipedes and Centipedes often get mixed up, due to the fact that they are both similar “unique” invertebrates. The main difference between the two, regarding captive care, if that millipedes are not poisonous, not are they carnivorous. Many also think that millipedes have 1000 legs; and rightly so! The latin word “milli”, means 1000, however millipedes typically have between 100 and 400 legs.

Millipedes are usually found in rotting logs, or rotten leaf matter. The root through finding any rotting fruits, or vegetation. They have poor eyesight, which is why they spend a lot of time rummaging in darkened areas. They will often hide from bright day light, and bury themselves in peat or soil.

On average, millipedes live between 7-10 years, which is a fairly long time for captive kept invertebrates. They can grow up to 10 inches long, with some exceptions being a little longer, and some, much smaller. Millipedes can be kept comunally with no problems, which can be great for saving space!

Categorised in: Mantis

11 years ago