To the trained eye, it’s quite easy to tell centipedes and millipedes apart. You don’t even need to count the number of legs they have! Simply look at the shape of their bodies.
Millipedes have round, cylindrical bodies with short antennae. Meanwhile, their legs are underneath their tube-like frames. Centipedes, on the other hand, cast a more alien-like appearance, with outstretched legs and longer antennae.
But which one makes the best pet? It depends on what you’re looking for. Millipedes are considered docile, while centipedes are known for being aggressive.
Millipedes Are More Popular as Pets
Millipedes and centipedes can both make fascinating pets for the right people. Yet, the general consensus is that millipedes are the better option because they’re not dangerous. Because of their weak jaws, there’s no risk of you or a child suffering a painful sting or bite. Also, it’s much cheaper to care for millipedes because you don’t need to buy live food; they live on a diet of decaying organic matter, fruits, and vegetables. As we’ll explain later, centipedes are carnivores.
Still, some people may prefer centipedes because of their dramatic appearances and predatory instincts. It can be captivating to watch them hunt their prey, which can include live crickets, silverfish, and even smaller millipedes!
Both of these creepy crawlies make great pets if you know what you’re doing! If you’re a first-time insect keeper, however, millipedes are likely the best option.
What Are Common Pet Millipedes and Centipedes?
The most popular pet millipede is the giant African millipede. It’s one of the world’s longest arthropods and can grow up to 13 inches in length, with a circumference of about 2.5 inches. These massive critters can have up to 400 legs and live for up to 10 years with proper care.
They make excellent pets because of their docile nature. Giant African millipedes love burrowing and will hide during the day. They do secrete a toxin when they feel threatened, but it’s only irritating for humans. As noted, they don’t have strong jaws, and they don’t have teeth. You don’t have to worry about painful stings, either.
In the world of invert-keeping, the tiger centipede is a very popular pet. They only live for up to six years and grow up to eight inches long. As a general rule, the bigger the centipede, the more powerful the bite. This is something that owners should be aware of.
Millipedes thrive in pairs, but we don’t advise putting two centipedes together because they will fight. A centipede is perfectly content to live by itself—or with insects it can eat!
What Enclosures Do Pet Centipedes and Millipedes Need?
If you’re still on the fence about whether you should get a millipede or a centipede, there are a few things to consider.
For starters, both centipedes and millipedes require very similar enclosures. You can keep them in a terrarium or a secure plastic tub. The substrate is very important because it helps maintain the right humidity levels. We recommend using potting soil as a base, then covering it with leaf, bark, and other decaying organic material. Both arthropods will both hide and eat this matter. They prefer room temperature, so there’s probably no need for a heater (unless you experience harsh winters or keep their enclosures outside).
Centipedes and millipedes are nocturnal animals, so don’t expose them to bright lights. Ambient room lighting is fine as long as they have plenty of hiding spaces. If you’re observing your pet millipedes or centipedes, it’s best to do so in darkness. You can use a low-voltage red light because this has less glare than other options.
If you’re using a plastic tub to keep your arthropods, be sure to poke holes in the lid, so they can breathe.
Centipedes and Millipedes Have Different Diets
One of the key differences between centipedes and millipedes is their diet.
The former is a carnivore and will eat other bugs and insects. Owners should feed them a diet of live food like crickets, mealworms, and roaches. Tiger centipedes can even consume small lizards. The ideal feeding schedule should vary depending on the size of the centipede. Don’t give crickets to smaller centipedes; the crickets could end up hurting them with their powerful legs.
On the other hand, millipedes are herbivorous. This is very convenient for owners because their substrate will comprise most of their diet. They love eating leaves, bark, and mulch. You can give them a nutrient boost by leaving sliced fruit and vegetables in their terrarium. Here, you would leave some in their enclosure overnight and remove it in the morning to avoid mold growth. Only give them softer options like sliced bananas or watermelon because remember: they don’t have teeth! Also, you can provide them with calcium to strengthen and rebuild their exoskeleton. Powdered cuttlefish bone is one of the best ways to do this. Dust their food with this or sprinkle some in their enclosure.
