Giant millipedes, also known as African giant millipedes, are usually quite friendly and docile creatures. These insects, which can measure up to 11 inches long and have hundreds of legs, are not aggressive and do not bite.
Since they are slow-moving and often slow to respond to stimuli, they are far less of a threat to humans than other bug species like spiders and cockroaches. That being said, they should be treated with respect, particularly when handling them.
They can sometimes react defensively, curling up and making clicking noises. It is important to avoid startling them and to use gloves when handling them to protect them, and your hands, from potential harm.
All in all, giant millipedes are more likely to be friendly than not, though they should still be approached with caution.
Is it safe to hold a millipede?
Yes, it is safe to hold a millipede. Millipedes generally do not produce a harmful toxin, and they cannot bite, so they will not harm you if you handle them with care. When handling millipedes, please remember to always use caution because they can unexpectedly curl up when they are touched, and they may have sharp spines on their bodies that could cause discomfort or mild irritation.
However, if you provide an environment that is comfortable and safe for the millipede, it is generally safe and enjoyable to hold them.
Are millipedes good pets?
Millipedes can make interesting pets, but they are much different than the more commonly kept lizards and frogs. They require a more specialized habitat and diet than most other pets, but they can be rewarding if you are willing to properly care for them.
Millipedes provide interesting behavior to observe, and their exotic colors and shapes can be quite captivating. However, they are often delicate creatures and can easily become stressed, so a large habitat with plenty of hiding spots, humidity, and food is important for their health.
They also require moist substrates like coco-coir, peat moss, and bark to help create the humid environment they need. Millipedes require a diet of fresh vegetables along with commercial millipede food or calcium powder.
Generally, millipedes are nocturnal and temperature should not exceed 80 degrees and should never go below 65 degrees. Millipedes are not dangerous and should not be mistaken for centipedes, so if you are still interested in a pet in the myriapod family, a millipede might be the right choice for you.
Why do millipedes curl up?
Millipedes curl up as a defense mechanism to protect their softer undersides from predators. The hardened exoskeleton of the millipede shields them from the outside world, making it more difficult for potential predators to bite them.
In some species, the exoskeleton is not completely hardened, allowing the millipede to curl up into a tight ball. This defense strategy is called conglobation. By rolling up into a tight ball, the millipede keeps its vulnerable underparts protected from attack.
This is an effective method of protection for millipedes, as it increases their chances of survival in the wild.
How long does a millipede live?
Millipedes typically live anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on the species. Some larger species of millipedes may live up to 10 years, especially if they have good environmental conditions, food supply, and access to water.
Millipedes are incredibly resilient and have adapted to many different climatic regions, so they can survive in disturbed habitats. To live their full lifespan, millipedes need a safe, undisturbed environment with access to warm temperatures and plenty of food.
Do pet millipedes smell?
Yes, pet millipedes do have a smell. Millipedes, like many other animals, produce scent chemicals in order to attract mates, mark their territories, and ward off predators. The smell can vary depending on the species but is typically described as musty or earthy.
Additionally, when threatened, some species of millipedes may release a chemical that has a smell similar to almonds. This smell is the result of irritating defensive chemicals being released from the millipedes’ tiny pores located on the sides of their body, and is often a sign that your pet millipedes are feeling stressed or threatened.
Therefore, if your pet millipedes start to smell strongly, it’s a good idea to check to make sure they’re not in distress.
What do you feed a pet millipede?
A pet millipede needs to be fed a diet that is high in calcium and slightly moist. Common foods that can be fed to pet millipedes include leafy greens (such as kale, spinach and turnip greens), raw vegetable and fruits (cheddar, apples and cucumbers are popular choices), and commercial millipede food.
It is also important to feed them calcium blocks or dust their food with a calcium powder on occasion. Make sure to provide a shallow dish of water in the enclosure for the millipede to access, as they need to keep their bodies hydrated.
Avoid harsh chemicals when preparing food to feed to your pet millipede as they do not tolerate them well. Additionally, it is important to remove any uneaten food from the enclosure after 24 hours, as old food can start to spoil and attract mold, which can be harmful to your pet.
What happens if you touch a millipede?
If you touch a millipede it is unlikely to be harmful to you, however, it will likely cause the millipede to release a noxious liquid from its exoskeleton, designed to act like a defensive mechanism.
This liquid can be irritating to the skin and eyes, depending on the species of millipede. It should also be noted that millipedes are known to carry bacteria on their surface, so it is best to thoroughly wash your hands after handling one.
Additionally, some millipedes can emit a toxin from their body when threatened, so it is important to avoid squeezing or squeezing the millipede.
Do millipedes carry diseases?
No, millipedes do not typically carry diseases that can be passed on to humans. However, they can carry bacteria and other microorganisms on their body, which may cause allergic reactions or skin irritations in certain individuals.
In exceptional cases, millipedes may create environmental conditions that could lead to the proliferation of disease-causing organisms. For example, by leaving excrement in damp environments, millipedes can contribute to the proliferation of mosquitoes, which may then transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and chikungunya.
That being said, transmission of diseases from millipedes to humans is extremely unlikely and the risk of disease from millipedes is considered low.
Will a millipede hurt me?
No, a millipede won’t hurt you. These small, cylindrical critters, usually found in moist environments, are entirely harmless to humans. They are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense, and even bites from a millipede are not harmful to humans.
The only harm a millipede could potentially cause is if you accidentally step on one with bare feet, as the spines on their back can cause some irritation. However, the irritation is usually minimal and doesn’t require medical treatment.
What attracts millipedes in your house?
Millipedes are drawn to your home because of its humid environment and dampness – usually in the basement, crawl space, garage, or near any water source. They are also attracted to decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves, so a cluttered yard or garden may draw them to your home.
Millipedes generally enter a home through open doors and windows, cracks in the foundation, or through other openings like ventilation pipes and ducts. If you have high levels of moisture and humidity in your home, this will attract millipedes even more.
You can reduce the chance of millipedes entering your home by making sure to check for any openings in the foundation, sealing them with caulk where needed. You should also reduce moisture levels in the home by installing dehumidifiers and fixing any leaks or other sources of water.
Additionally, make sure to keep your yard and garden free of debris and clutter, and make sure to clean up any pet waste right away.
Are millipedes safer than centipedes?
Yes, millipedes are generally thought to be safer than centipedes. Despite their names and appearances, millipedes and centipedes do not actually have the amount of legs that their names suggest; millipedes generally have between 30 and 90 legs and centipedes can have up to 177.
Unlike centipedes, millipedes are not venomous and they typically curl up into tight balls when they feel threatened instead of biting. Whereas centipedes hunt their prey using sharp jaws and inject their venom into it, millipedes are largely herbivores and feed on decaying plants and other organic matter.
Millipedes also tend to crawl much more slowly than centipedes, making them less of a nuisance when it comes to coming in contact with humans. In general, millipedes are much less of a threat than centipedes.
How do you take care of a giant millipede?
Taking care of a Giant Millipede is actually quite easy and straightforward. You will need to provide them with the essentials for a healthy and happy home; enclosure, substrate, and food.
Enclosure: The enclosure should be big enough for your millipede to move around and explore comfortably, with enough space and furnishings so they can hide and explore. A 10-20 gallon terrarium with a tight lid is suitable.
The substrate should be around 2-3 inches deep, and be able to easily hold burrowed millipedes. Peat moss, cypress mulch, or a mix of soil and leaf litter would work well.
Food: Millipedes have a variety of dietary needs. They are mostly herbivorous, meaning they will mainly feed off decaying plant materials such as leaves, fruits and vegetables, but they also enjoy protein such as small, live prey like live insects.
Make sure to provide a bowl or dish of food, but discard any uneaten food each day. Fresh water should always be available, every other day (in warm weather) or every 3-4 days in colder weather, to ensure the millipede stays hydrated.
Temperature & humidity: Giant Millipedes like a temperature range of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, with nightly drops to 65-70 degrees. To keep humidity levels in the enclosure up, you might want to mist it twice a day, but not too much so that it remains damp and not wet.
You can also put a shallow bowl of water in the terrarium to increase humidity levels and ensure that the millipede always has access to fresh water.
Other Considerations: Giant Millipedes are solitary animals and should not be housed with other millipedes or animals. They should also be handled carefully as they can pinch if provoked. Wearing gloves is recommended if you wish to handle them.
Finally, always make sure to research any animal that you plan on keeping, in order to be well prepared and to ensure that their needs are fully met.
Do giant millipedes need water?
Yes, giant millipedes need water in order to stay hydrated and healthy. They get most of their water from food, but they will also drink water from a shallow bowl if it is available to them. Their natural habitat is tropical and moist so they should always have access to a small amount of water.
Additionally, they need a high level of humidity in their environment, around 75 – 80%, which would require misting or regular spritzing with a spray bottle. Keeping the substrate moist helps maintain adequate humidity, but it should never be wet to prevent mold or bacterial growth, which could be harmful to the millipedes.
What do millipedes need to survive?
Millipedes require a variety of elements to survive, including both physical and environmental components. Firstly, they need a moist environment with adequate levels of humidity, as millipedes are unable to excrete excess water.
If the environment is too dry, it can severely affect their health and even lead to death. Additionally, millipedes also require a source of food, generally in the form of dead vegetation, or, in the case of some species, small insects.
An adequate temperature is also important, as they are cold-blooded animals. Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are generally considered to be optimal, depending on the species. Lastly, millipedes also need a place to hide, as they are vulnerable to predation.
A substrate of leaf litter, soil, and decaying plant matter is typically preferable. In conclusion, millipedes require moist conditions, food, optimal temperatures, and a place to hide in order to survive.