Invert keepers love creepy crawlies and often dream of keeping them as pets. Millipedes are one of the best options because they’re easy to care for, and they’re not aggressive.
In this guide, we’ll examine everything you need to know about keeping pet millipedes. For example, did you know they’re arthropods, not insects? Or that there are about 12,000 different millipede species worldwide? There’s a lot to learn!
1. Pet Millipedes Require Simple, Tight-Lidded Enclosures
When keeping pet millipedes, you must ensure they have the proper enclosure. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be very expensive. You can even use an empty fish tank or a terrarium. You can also keep them in a simple discarded plastic tub. Remember: there must be good ventilation for your millipedes, and you should seal the lid tightly so they don’t escape. The size of the enclosure should vary depending on the millipede species.
Giant African millipedes (which can measure 12 inches long) obviously need a much bigger terrarium than smaller varieties. The general rule is that the tub should be 1.5 times higher than the millipede itself, but bigger is always better. Meanwhile, the container should be at least twice the length of your largest millipede.
If you’re using a homemade enclosure, you can drill holes in the sides and cover them with mesh so the pet millipedes don’t escape. This will also help unwanted critters like gnats and small flies from entering the millipedes’ space.
2. Good Substrate Is Crucial for Millipedes
The right substrate (the material that lines the critter’s enclosure) is essential for pet millipedes. Many owners use potting soil or peat moss as the base. Then, they’ll cover this with rotting leaves and wood. There should be equal levels of substrate and debris in the terrarium. Oak is the most popular option amongst experienced millipede keepers; this material holds moisture but never becomes too wet. On other materials, mold can form, and this can be lethal for the millipedes. The enclosure’s substrate helps maintain the enclosure’s humidity levels. It’s also an essential food source!
3. Pet Millipedes Eat Fruit and Decaying Matter
Millipedes are herbivores and don’t even have teeth. Their main diet comprises decaying plant matter, including fallen leaves and rotting bark. However, you can provide them with more food, like soft fruits and vegetables. Cucumber slices, lettuce leaves, bananas, and chopped melon are good options because they’re soft, and millipedes have weak jaws.
Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for pet millipedes. Ground cuttlebone is a great way to give them this boost. Don’t give them chlorinated water because this will burn and harm them. They will absorb most of their fluids through their food but can also absorb from their humid environment. We recommend feeding them once per day with as much food as they’ll eat in a night. Remove any excess fruits or vegetables in the morning.
4. Millipedes Require Low Lighting in Their Enclosures
Millipedes are nocturnal creatures, so avoid putting their enclosure in brightly lit areas. A good substrate with plenty of leaf cover will allow them to hide during the day. Their bodies are very sensitive to light, so exercise care. If you want to observe your millipedes, we recommend using a low-wattage red bulb because this is less intense. It’s better if their enclosure is darker because they’ll be more active. Ambient room light is enough, so don’t shine your phone or flashlight into their enclosure!
5. Exercise Caution When Handling Your Millipede
One of the benefits of keeping pet millipedes is that owners can easily handle some species. Unlike centipedes, you don’t have to worry about painful stings or bites, making it safe to handle them. Still, be careful, so they don’t feel threatened. Pick them up in the center of their body, so there isn’t too much pressure on them. They may initially curl up, but when they relax, they’ll begin to walk about until you put them back in their enclosure. They don’t necessarily enjoy being handled, but with time, they’ll come to tolerate it. We advise against doing it too often; it’s better to observe millipedes from afar than touch them directly.
Many people are scared of bugs but millipedes (which are actually arthropods!) are generally quite harmless. The main concern for owners is that they secrete a defensive fluid. Certain species have stronger secretions than others, so do your research. Wash your hands immediately after handling your pet millipedes and avoid touching your eyes. Also, it’s important to supervise young children around the enclosure. You don’t want them to damage the millipedes or to forget to wash their hands!
6. There Are Many Species of Pet Millipede
There are thousands of pet millipede species, but some are more popular than others. They include:
- Giant African millipedes are one of the most spectacular creepy-crawly pets. True to their name, they are incredibly long. However, they’re a peaceful and herbivorous species that don’t require large enclosures. This low-maintenance millipede is an excellent pet because of its aesthetic and its hardiness. They’re one of the most common pet millipedes, and they usually live for up to seven years.
- The flame-leg millipede species originally hails from the Philippines. Their golden legs give them a striking appearance. They’re about half the size of giant African millipedes and are also low maintenance. They also have a similar lifespan.
- Armored millipedes have a distinctive segmented exoskeleton compared to other species. Many exotic pet lovers adore them because of their almost alien-like appearance. They can have up to 100 individual segments and may grow up to 11 inches long.
