Millipede question and care

tavmich112

Now that we have this african millipede, how long will it live? Will it grow huge like others I've seen at the Bug Fair? Please give me some tips.

Celeste

Hi, Michelle

this thread is for introductions -- you really should post in the myriapoda ("many feet") forum here:
http://scabies.myfreeforum.org/forum11.php
regarding care (just so people will see your question).

Is it a baby African Giant Black millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)? Or some other type? (Although as far as I know their care is all generally the same). You might check with BugMom or ftorres -- BugMom has had success breeding millipedes and Francisco ("ftorres") just knows everything about everything! ;-)

If it is an African Giant Black millipede, it *could* live for 5-10 years, and *could* get up to about 12 inches long.

I'm having a tough time finding any good care sheets online, but here are a few with a little bit of info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch..._gigas#African_millipedes_as_pets
http://www.archispirostreptus.com/
http://www.phasmidsincyberspace.com/ArchispirostreptusGigas.html
http://terraristic.net/en/millipedes/Archispirostreptus_gigas.html

Hope that helps!

-- Celeste

Edit. moved this thread to the proper section.. W

ftorres

Hello Michelle,
I hope Joe II is doing great and I also hope you found enough info on the links that Celeste posted here.

Care is the same as the Giant Africans.
Generally is as follows

Temps Room temp is fine not exceding 90F

Humidity preferably around 70-80% with some ventilation.

No special light or heating device needed if this conditions are met.

Light period of 12 hour light and 12 hours dark is good for them as some millis are diurnal and other are crepuscular or nocturnal.

filtered light from a window is good, "no direct sun light"

Substrate I recomend leafmulch, but peatmoss and coco fiber will work.
make sure is humid at all time and not wet.

Food they usually eat plant matter in the wild, that is why I recomend the leafmulch or my leafmulch as it contains wood and leaves in high decomposing level, so this is very nutritious for the millis.

If not leafmulch is available you can feed some vegis like cucumber,squash,yellow squash, others.
Fruits melon or watermelon "no citrus" generally soft fruit or vegetables.

Supplent this diet with the occational fish food flakes or dog food pellets.

regard

francisco

PS If I missed anything or have specific questions let me know and I will add it here.