Here are tips and facts about Millipedes !

1. Why Keep Millipedes as Pets?

  • Very gentle and slow

  • Don’t bite or sting

  • Quiet and odorless

  • Easy feeding (detritivores)

  • Long lifespan for an invertebrate

🕰️ Lifespan: 3–10 years (species-dependent!)

2. Best Millipede Species for Pets

⭐ Beginner-Friendly

Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)

  • One of the largest (10–12 inches!)

  • Calm and handleable

  • Long lifespan

Smokey Oak Millipede (Narceus gordanus)

  • Native to North America

  • Hardy and easy care

  • Great for beginners

🌳 Smaller / Display Species

  • Bumblebee Millipede

  • Ivory Millipede

  • Scarlet Millipede

⚠️ Avoid wild-caught non-native species.

3. Enclosure Setup (MOST IMPORTANT)

🏠 Tank Size

  • Minimum: 10–20 gallons (larger = better)

  • Horizontal space matters more than height

  • Secure lid (they climb)

🧱 Substrate (CRITICAL)

Millipedes live in the soil.

Depth:

  • At least 2–3× the millipede’s body length

Substrate Mix:

  • Organic topsoil (no fertilizers)

  • Decayed hardwood leaves

  • Rotten wood

  • Coconut fiber (partial)

💡 Substrate is also their main food source.

4. Temperature & Humidity

🌡️ Temperature

  • Ideal: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

  • Room temperature usually works

💧 Humidity

  • 70–85%

  • Substrate should be moist, not wet

  • Light misting every 1–2 days

⚠️ Too dry = dehydration
⚠️ Too wet = mold & suffocation

5. Feeding Your Millipede 🍂

Staple Diet

  • Decaying hardwood leaves (oak, maple)

  • Rotten wood

  • Leaf litter

Supplemental Foods (1–2×/week)

  • Cucumber

  • Squash

  • Sweet potato

  • Apple (small amounts)

  • Mushroom

Calcium Source

  • Cuttlebone

  • Crushed eggshell

  • Calcium powder (lightly)

🚫 Avoid citrus, salty, or processed foods.

6. Water

  • No water bowls (drowning risk)

  • Moist substrate + misting provides hydration

7. Handling & Behavior

  • Handle gently with both hands

  • They may curl into a spiral when scared

  • Some species release harmless defensive fluid (wash hands after)

🟢 They are not aggressive and rarely stressed if handled calmly.

8. Molting & Growth

  • Millipedes molt underground

  • Can disappear for weeks or months

  • Do NOT dig them up during molting

9. Cleaning & Maintenance

  • Remove uneaten fresh food after 24–48 hours

  • Add fresh leaf litter monthly

  • Replace part of substrate every 6–12 months

10. Common Problems & Fixes

  • Surface roaming → too dry

  • White fuzz (fungus) → poor airflow

  • Lethargy → cold or old age

11. Breeding (Optional)

  • Requires deep substrate

  • Babies look like tiny white threads

  • Slow growth—takes years to mature

12. Legal & Ethical Notes ⚠️

  • Check local laws (some species restricted)

  • Never release pet millipedes into the wild

  • Only keep native species if wild-caught

13. Are Millipedes Good Pets?

✅ Perfect if you want:

  • Calm, long-lived invertebrates

  • Naturalistic terrarium pets

  • Minimal daily care

❌ Not ideal if you want:

  • Frequent handling

  • Fast movement

  • Dry or desert setups

14. Fun Millipede Facts 🐛

  • Not actually 1,000 legs

  • Grow legs as they molt

  • Can regenerate segments

  • Some glow under UV light