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How to Care for African Giant Millipedes and Their Relatives

Frank Indiviglio — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:52:19 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Millipedes (Order Diplopoda) are among the most diverse yet least studied of all invertebrates. There are enough millipedes to keep generations of fans happy – over 12,000 species have been described so far, and we know little about most! Many species make hardy pets that adjust well to small enclosures and may even breed. All are quite intriguing – while working with arboreal South American millipedes at the Bronx Zoo, I was even involved in a mysterious “millipede emergency”…please see this article for details.

Photo uploaded to wikipedia commons by Bubba73 (Jud McCranie)

The following information can be applied to the commonly-kept African Giant Millipede (Achispirospreptus gigas) and many of the others that appear in the trade from time to time. Several millipedes native to the USA, such as Narceus americanus, are also large and brightly-colored…all are ignored by zoos and deserve more attention from hobbyists. Husbandry details will vary…please comment below for information on individual species.

Natural History

Millipedes are found on all continents except Antarctica, and live in varied habitats, including deserts, grasslands, caves, rainforests and human dwellings.

Most of the species studied consume and recycle dead leaves and other vegetation, and many defend themselves by curling into a circle and releasing irritating secretions. Certain monkeys rub their bodies with millipedes, apparently using these secretions to deter biting insects and parasites (please see below).

Despite common names suggesting the presence of thousands of legs, most species have less than 150 pairs. The “leggiest”, a rare millipede from the American Southwest, sports 750 legs (please see photo).

Female Illacme plenipes with 618 legs uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Daniel Mietchen

The popular Giant African Millipede, Achispirospreptus gigas, may reach 11 inches in length and 10 years of age.

Behavior

Millipedes are largely nocturnal in the wild but will remain active by day in humid terrariums.

Housing

Setting up the Terrarium

Millipedes are best kept in screen-covered aquariums or plastic terrariums. A 10 gallon aquarium is adequate for a single large adult.

“Ant farm type” type set-ups may allow you to watch your pets’ below-ground activities. A small aquarium placed upside down within a larger one will confine their burrowing activities to the area along the glass (please see this article on creating a burrowing area for details).

Substrate

Millipede substrate should be 4-6 inches deep and comprised of 50% leaf litter (oak, ash, etc.) and decaying wood. Millipedes will eat this, so you’ll need to add more in time. The balance may consist of coconut husk, peat moss and top soil. Although most will burrow, cork bark and similar shelters should also be provided.

Light

A reptile night-viewing bulb will allow you to observe your millipedes after dark.

Heat

Most species do well at temperatures of 72-85 F (please write in for individual species’ details).

Red/black reptile night bulbs, ceramic heaters and under-tank heaters can be used to warm the terrarium. All have a drying effect, so be sure to monitor humidity.

Humidity

Millipedes are somewhat resilient to desiccation, but most favor high humidity and will become inactive if kept in dry terrariums.

Humidity can be increased by misting, moistening the substrate, and partially covering the lid with plastic.

Feeding

Deficiencies in calcium and other nutrients often prevent captive Millipedes from thriving. Leaf litter and decaying wood will provide nutrients that are hard to obtain otherwise. ReptoCal or a similar supplement should be mixed into the substrate (this will be consumed along with decaying leaves) and added to their food; a reptile vitamin supplement can be used once weekly.

Millipedes should also be provided with a salad of yam, carrot, kale, cucumber, apple, banana and other fruits and vegetables, into which has been mixed cricket gut-loading diet, tropical fish flakes, and tortoise pellets.

Companions

Millipedes get along well in groups, and may also be kept with beetles, stick insects, land snails and certain other invertebrates.

Molting

Millipedes usually remain below ground when molting, and should not be disturbed at this time. Humidity should be kept high when your pets molt.

Mites

Tiny white mites are often introduced to terrariums via substrate or food. Most are harmless scavengers, but large populations may disturb molting or injured animals. They can often be lured into a jar baited with fish flakes. Please see this article for further information.

Health Considerations

Millipedes release secretions that can irritate the eyes, skin and mucus membranes. Although pet trade species have not been shown to be dangerous, they should be kept away from the face and handled with latex gloves.

Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water after working around any animal. Please speak with your doctor concerning details, and feel free to write me for further information.

Further Information

Millipede Emergency: The Dark Side of a Peaceful Pet

Volunteer Opportunities Documenting Millipede Diversity

Millipede Toxins and Medical Concerns

Newly Discovered Millipede described as “Walking Sausage”

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Harpaphe haydeniana image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Franco Folini

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How to Care for African Giant Millipedes and Their Relatives

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2012’s New Species – Spiders, Roaches, Millipedes, Wasps – Which is your Favorite?

Frank Indiviglio — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:35:36 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Invertebrate enthusiasts have learned to expect the discovery of fantastic new species on a regular basis. But even old timers such as I were shocked by some that came to light this past year. Large, claw-bearing Cave Robber Spiders, giant bio-luminescent roaches, brilliant arboreal tarantulas, neon-colored freshwater crabs, dive-bombing wasps…the list boggles the mind. Today I’ll highlight a few that have entranced me; please post your own favorites (whether covered here or not) below.

Cave Robber Spider, Trogloraptor marchingtoni

The Cave Robber Spider, arguably 2012’s most “otherworldly” discovery, turned up in a place not known for hiding unseen species – southwestern Oregon. In fact, not a single new spider has been described in the USA in the past 130 years.

Surprisingly, the Cave Robber is not a tiny, non-descript creature likely to be missed by all but the most passionate (“obsessed”?) of arachnologists. Rather, its legs span 3 inches, the pedipalps sport bulbous, fang-like projections, and it has 8 sharp, hooked claws that have been seen on no other of the world’s other 40,000+ spiders (please see photo). Furthermore, Cave Robbers have now also been found outside of caves, in several Oregon and California old growth forests. How could such a beast have been missed!?

Possibly related to the primitive Goblin Spiders, the Cave Robber is so unique that a new family, Trogloraptoridae, has been created for it. Little is known of its natural history and, unfortunately, captives have so far refused to feed.

Dive Bombing Wasp, Kallasoma sentum

Another of my favorites also hails from a country not known as an unseen species hotspot. Discovered in Spain, the minute Dive Bombing Wasp buzzes about just above “ant head level”, looking for a victim. Upon finding a target, the wasp swoops and, in 0.052 seconds, deposits a single egg on the ant. Its larvae later use the ant as a mobile meal. Ants try to repel the airborne attacks but, as you can see from this spectacular video, they are rarely successful.

The tiny wasp’s apparent reliance on a single ant species, and habitat loss, threaten its future.

Arboreal Brazilian Tarantulas, Iridopelma, Pachistopelma and Typhochlaena spps.

Arachnologists suspect that Brazil’s Amazonian rainforests support many undiscovered tarantulas, but recently 9 new species were uncovered in the country’s semi-deciduous Atlantic Forests and Cerrado, a vast wooded savanna. These habitats were not expected to yield such an array of new spiders, all of which are boldly-marked and arboreal.

The new members of the genus Pachistopelma, the least-studied of all tarantula genera, seem to live only in plants known as Tank Bromeliads. There they ambush insects that are attracted to water that collects at the bromeliads’ bases. Among the newly-described species (genus Typhochaena) we also find the world’s smallest arboreal tarantulas. Please see the article below for natural history information and photographs.

Giant Glowing Roach, Lucihormetica luchae

This unusual insect was first described from a single specimen collected over 70 years ago. Glowing patches on the roach’s body lead predators to confuse with a toxic click beetle. While several roaches gain protection by mimicking noxious beetles (i.e. the popularly-kept Domino Roach) no others, and indeed no other terrestrial animals, do so via bioluminescence.

Unfortunately, the Giant Glowing Roach may already be extinct. It’s only known habitat was leveled when Ecuador’s Tungurahua Volcano exploded in 2010, and it has not been seen since.

Wandering Leg Sausage Millipede, Crurifarcimen vagans

The creature with this fanciful name hails from Tanzania’s Usambura Mountains, a region well known to tarantula enthusiasts and “new species hunters”. Although at 7 inches long this millipede is not the world’s largest, a very stout body and rusty-orange color renders it a most impressive beast (please see article below). Africa’s newest millipede dwells in decaying logs and has been found at 5,000+ feet above sea level.

Palawan Purple Crab, Insulamon palawanense

Freshwater crabs represent a huge evolutionary leap, and have very unusual lifestyles. I’ve kept several species, but interest in zoos and the pet trade is not high. This year, however, the discovery of 4 stunningly-beautiful freshwater crabs has drawn some attention to the group. All were found on Palawan, a Philippine island where over 50% of the resident species are endemic. Clad in “screaming” neon-violet and sporting red-tipped claws, the Palawan Purple Crab is a sight to behold…don’t miss its photo in the article below!

Palawan’s unique freshwater prawns are slated for further study as well.

Other Recently-Discovered Insects and Spiders

A number of other fascinating creatures have made invertebrate headlines in the recent past. Perhaps most incredible is the huge, semi-aquatic, flesh-eating Venezuelan Cave Cricket, Hydrolutos breweri. Found 2 miles into Cueva Charles Brewer, it has been described as swimming by using the front legs in breast-stroke fashion, and its jaws would give pause to even the most dedicated insect collector! One-of-a-kind footage of this astonishing creature in its natural habitat is provided by this video.

Other interesting new finds include a grasshopper-like cockroach and an ant-mimicking jumping spider with enormous fangs.

Many, many other new invertebrates have been described in recent years…please let me know your favorites by posting below.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Invertebrate Health – Mites in Scorpion, Millipede and Tarantula Terrariums

Frank Indiviglio — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:16:25 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m often contacted by Arachnid and millipede owners who are concerned about the tiny white “specks” that they notice crawling about their terrariums and on their pets. In almost all cases, the little beasts turn out to be relatively harmless Mites. Mites are actually Arachnids, related to spiders and scorpions, and are unique in the incredible diversity they have attained – over 45,000 species have been described, with many more than that likely remaining to be “discovered”.

Where Did They Come From, What Are They Doing?

It is nearly impossible to prevent Mites from entering one’s collection – even if the terrarium and substrate are sterilized, they will invariably enter as hitchhikers on food insects. Most Mites are intolerant of dry conditions, and hence rarely appear in enclosures housing Red-Kneed Tarantulas, Desert Hairy Scorpions or other species that hail from arid habitats.

The white Mites observed in invertebrate and other terrariums are almost invariably scavengers that feed upon dead crickets and other food insects, animal droppings and decomposing organic material within the substrate. Those seen crawling about tarantulas and other animals are foraging for bits of food. In a sense, they are “cleaning” their hosts…but most pet keepers do not like to see them doing so (nor did visitors to some of the zoo exhibits I’ve worked on)!

In rare cases, scavenging Mites may feed upon an invertebrate whose exoskeleton has not hardened after molting, or enter an injured area of the carapace. If large populations are allowed to build up, they may also cause stress by their constant moving about.

Troublesome Mites

Parasitic Mites, while common in the wild, do not often seem to invade terrariums. It may be that they are very specific in their choice of hosts. I’ve never run into a Mite problem after using soil, logs or leaves that I have collected, but if you are concerned you might try freezing such items before use.

Eradication can be tricky, as products designed to kill Mites will also be toxic to your pets. There are a few options, however – please write in if you have a Parasitic Mite infestation.

Controlling Mites

Mites are best controlled by the routine removal of dead food items and droppings, as their populations skyrocket when such rich food sources are available. In terrariums housing invertebrates that favor moist environments, such as Emperor Scorpions or Giant Bird Eating Spiders, you can allow the substrate to dry out a bit…those Mites that are not killed outright by desiccation may be lured to a jar filled with damp sphagnum moss.

Be sure that your pet is not about to molt or give birth before allowing its terrarium to dry out, and always provide a water bowl or Gel-based Cricket Water Supplement for its use. The decision to dry out a terrarium must be made on an individual basis – if unsure, please write in for more information.

Millipede Diets – Feeding the Giant African Millipede and its Relatives – Part 2

Frank Indiviglio — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:05:43 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article we looked at the importance of calcium, leaf litter and decaying wood in the diet of the African giant millipede (Achispirospreptus gigas) and its relatives.

Research Needed

Few field studies have been made of millipedes in the wild, and we therefore know little about their exact nutritional needs. Based on experience with related species, and in the hopes of providing as many nutrients as possible, I began offering African giant millipedes a wide variety of food items. With the help of colleagues here and abroad, I eventually arrived at a diet that has allowed me to breed a number of native and exotic millipedes, and to maintain individual animals for over 10 years.

A Useful Millipede Diet

In addition to leaf litter and wood (please see Part I of this article), I feed most millipedes a mixed salad of yam, carrot, kale, cucumber, apple, banana and a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables. To this is added moistened insect gut-loading diet and tropical fish flakes, both of which supply necessary protein, and a bit of Forest Tortoise Food.

San Francisco Bay Prepared Tortoise Food is a convenient means of providing a wide variety of nutritious foods, and is readily accepted by many millipedes. I use this as an occasional supplement, or mix it into the regular salad. All food offered is powdered with Reptocal.

A Millipede Emergency – the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 2

Frank Indiviglio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:40:26 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see Part I of this article for my “close call” with some cyanide-producing millipedes.

Millipede Generated Cyanide and Poison Frogs

It seems that millipedes of many types (there are over 10,000 species described to date) mix hydrogen cyanide, quinones, phenols and aldehydes with enzymes to create toxic defensive sprays and secretions. In fact, tiny millipedes consumed by poison frogs (Dendrobates spp.) account for some if not most of the virulent skin toxins found in the skins of these colorful amphibians.

Much like the frogs, millipedes seem to obtain at least some defensive chemicals from their diet. As is true with poison frogs and related species, the toxicity of the millipedes’ secretions decreases over time when they consume captive diets.

Monkeys and People Draft Millipedes to Battle Pests

The monkeys studied by my friend (please see Part I) were using the millipedes as a mosquito and parasite repellent. The millipedes seemed quite valuable to the monkeys – so much so that the normally arboreal primates left the safety of the tress to retrieve any millipedes that had been accidentally dropped.

Certain millipede secretions also have antibacterial properties, and are being investigated for medicinal use…it is not known if monkeys exploit this aspect of the toxins as well.

Millipedes as Pets

Millipede secretions can irritate our skin, mucus membranes and eyes, so I always caution people to handle them with gloves and to keep the animals away from one’s face. Stressed millipedes confined in airtight containers have been known to expire from the concentrated effects of their own toxins.

That being said, millipedes make extremely interesting terrarium subjects, and a number breed well in captivity. Next time I’ll cover the care of a few regularly available species.

Millipede Diets – Feeding the Giant African Millipede and its Relatives – Part 1

Frank Indiviglio — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:52:04 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Among the world’s 10,000 or so millipede species we find a number of common as well as extremely specialized creatures, many of which make interesting terrarium subjects. The commonly available giant African millipede (Achispirospreptus gigas) is, at nearly 11 inches long, a very impressive beast that may reach 10 years of age and reproduce in captivity. A number of other species appear in the trade from time to time as well…while the largest hail from the tropics, several millipedes native to the USA, such as Narceus americanus, are also quite large, and some are brilliantly colored.

The following information applies mainly to the African giant millipede, but also holds true for many of the other large African and Southeast Asian species that enter the trade.

A Simple but Effective Feeding Technique

Judging from the questions I’ve received from millipede enthusiasts over the years, a poor diet is the main reason that these creatures sometimes fail to thrive in captivity.

One trick that I have found particularly useful is to add a handful of a reptile calcium supplement, such as Reptocal to the substrate in a millipede terrarium. Millipedes consume a good deal of leaf litter and, in some cases, rotting wood, and will ingest calcium mixed into the litter as well. They seem to require quite a bit of calcium, especially when molting and forming a new exoskeleton, so I powder their other food with it also.

Leaf Litter and Wood

In order to provide as much dietary variety as possible, I always keep millipedes in a substrate comprised of at least 50% leaf litter (oak, ash and other native species) and well-rotted (soft and crumbly) wood collected locally. This is replaced periodically as the millipedes tunnel through and consume the nutrients therein.

The balance of the substrate consists of coconut husk and top soil. Millipedes need to burrow, especially when laying eggs and molting, so keep at least 4-6 inches of substrate available to them. A layer of gravel at the terrarium’s bottom will assist in drainage.

Dietary Variety

As we know little about the actual nutritional needs of any millipedes, I strive to provide as much variety as possible. This seems a useful technique, as I’ve been able to breed several tropical and native species over the years, and have kept individual millipedes for over a decade. Please check out Part II of this article for salad recipes and other foods that have served me well over the years when keeping millipedes.

Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

Further Reading

Please see my article Millipede Emergency for a unique twist to millipede keeping.

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Millipede Diets – Feeding the Giant African Millipede and its Relatives – Part 1

The post Millipede Diets – Feeding the Giant African Millipede and its Relatives – Part 1 appeared first on That Reptile Blog.

A Millipede Emergency: the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 1

Frank Indiviglio — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:09:36 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Having been chased by a Kodiak bear, confronted by an escaped king cobra and otherwise molested by scores of formidable animals, I felt relatively secure in accepting responsibility for a group of arboreal South American millipedes entrusted to me by colleague about to travel abroad. A primatologist, she had observed capuchin monkeys to rub millipedes over their bodies, and was investigating the situation (I, on the other hand, have always been far more interested in millipedes than monkeys!).

Deadly Millipedes?

A week after her departure, another coworker phoned me at 4 AM, frantically speaking in the rapid fire Spanish typical of her native Venezuela…and which I have great difficulty in grasping at 4 PM, much less 4 AM! Eventually I learned that 3 elderly millipede researchers had passed away recently, and that preliminary evidence indicated that cyanide poisoning, courtesy of the millipedes’ defensive chemicals, was suspected. I was warned against handling the millipedes (which I had been doing for weeks!) or putting them near my face (which I do not do with any creature).

The deaths turned out to be coincidental and unrelated to millipedes, but the incident led to a good deal of research into the defensive chemicals produced by these popular terrarium pets. It seems that millipede toxins are a very unique and complicated group of compounds.

Exploiting Millipede Toxins

Interestingly, a number of species of frogs and monkeys harness these chemical weapons for their own use. Although lagging behind such creatures by a few million years, humans are also getting into the act, and we may soon be putting millipede secretions to medicinal use.

An Amazing Coincidence!!!

The incident I related above, concerning myself and the millipedes, transpired approximately 8-10 years ago. I’m not sure why I decided to write about it today, but I’ve had millipede articles on my mind for some time, and thought this would make a nice introduction to the topic.

After writing this article I searched for a reference to add, for those readers who wished to learn more. You can imagine my shock when I discovered that today’s NY Times (28 June 2009) carries an article about the very same monkeys, people and millipedes involved in my story!!!

To read the entire article, please go to http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/05/science/05MONK.html?pagewanted=print.

Next time I’ll explore the nature of these defensive weapons and the uses that monkeys, frogs and people are finding for them. Following that we’ll take a look at keeping and breeding millipedes in captivity. Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Prashanthns.

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A Millipede Emergency: the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 1

The post A Millipede Emergency: the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 1 appeared first on That Reptile Blog.