Q&A for How to Care for Millipedes

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Are there any other tips for making a millipede habitat?
    Brandon Runyon
    Entomologist
    Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.
    Entomologist
    Expert Answer
    I also suggest on replicating their natural environment based on their origin. For North American millipedes, use a moist substrate mix of soil, peat moss, and leaf litter, maintaining a temperature of 70-75°F and high humidity. Provide hiding spots with bark and rocks, and feed them decaying plant material, fruits, and vegetables. For desert millipedes, use a sand, soil, and coconut coir substrate, keep the temperature around 75-85°F with lower humidity, and include rocks and dry wood for shelter. Offer moisture-rich foods like lettuce and cucumbers.
  • Question
    What fruits and vegetables are good for millipedes?
    Brandon Runyon
    Entomologist
    Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.
    Entomologist
    Expert Answer
    Romaine lettuce, apples, and cucumbers. These foods provide essential nutrients that support the health and growth of millipedes. Adding these items to their diet ensures they receive an adequate amount of calcium.
  • Question
    How much would I have to feed a millipede each day?
    Community Answer
    Not very much, since a millipede will not eat more food than the size of its head each day. If you have a fish, you can also give the millipede some fish food for protein.
  • Question
    Do the cuttlefish bones have to be ground up?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is highly recommended for the pieces to be ground up so that they are more manageable for the millipedes.
  • Question
    How long do they live for?
    Community Answer
    An average millipede lives up to 7 years, but it depends on the species.
  • Question
    How big does the home have to be?
    Community Answer
    At least one gallon would be fine, but the bigger the better.
  • Question
    Are the millipedes supposed to be kept at 20-35 degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?
    Community Answer
    Celsius. Freezing cold temperatures would kill the millipede very quickly.
  • Question
    How long do they stay underground, and when do they come out?
    Community Answer
    They stay underground a lot when they are young, but when they mature, they come out quite a bit.
  • Question
    Can I keep it in a yogurt pot?
    Community Answer
    It is not advised. Just buy a Sterlite container. The Sterlite container lets oxygen through, and keeps humidity in.
  • Question
    What do millipedes do after they molt?
    Community Answer
    They like to sit while their exoskeleton hardens, then they assume their normal routines.
  • Question
    What can I use if I don't have a heat mat?
    Community Answer
    If you don't have a heat mat you can put it on a warm tabletop or a warm surface. If that is not an option, you can buy an under-tank heater at a pet store.
  • Question
    How big does the vivarium have to be?
    Community Answer
    At least one gallon, but the bigger the better!
  • Question
    How long can a millipede grow?
    Austin Helmick
    Community Answer
    It really depends on the species of millipede, but most grow to an average of 2 - 4 inches. There are species that are only 2 - 15 mm long. But there are also species like the Giant African Millipede that can grow to over 15 inches long. There are ancient species of millipedes that are extinct that grew to over 6 feet long!
  • Question
    Is it OK if I have other bugs in the same container?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it depends on the type of bugs you add. It's possible that they might fight if you choose the wrong bugs. For example, I would avoid adding any ground beetles.
  • Question
    Is there any food that has calcium?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Foods like broccoli, kiwi, egg shells (boil these for safety), potato, oranges, kale, Chinese cabbage and spinach are edible for millipedes.
  • Question
    What do I do with their eggs?
    Erik Petrovich
    Community Answer
    Try to be as delicate as you can with them. It can take up to 3 months for the eggs to hatch, so just pay extra diligence to them when you clean the enclosure.
  • Question
    Can I put babies and big ones together
    Erik Petrovich
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! As long as they are of the same species, this is completely acceptable
  • Question
    Can I keep them inside an Altoids box with little holes for them to breathe?
    Community Answer
    You can, but make sure it has been cleaned thoroughly. The peppermint oil in the Altoids is a natural insect/bug repellant and will bother them. If any peppermint scent remains after you've cleaned the box, select a different home for your millipedes.
  • Question
    How can I make a millipede reproduce?
    Community Answer
    You can't, but you can create conditions favorable to mating. Place a few millipedes in the same vivarium and if the conditions are right they will mate. After they mate, the female will lay eggs under a leaf or piece of wood. Do not disturb the eggs. You need a large container of 30-40 gallons/litres to house all the babies as they grow.
  • Question
    How can I tell if a millipede is male or female?
    Community Answer
    Most of the time, the 7th set of legs will be notably different on males.
  • Question
    Can different species be housed together if they have the same substrate requirements?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can be housed together.
  • Question
    Should I have more than one millipede so that it doesn't get lonely?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as most species of millipedes like to live in colonies.
  • Question
    Can I keep my millipede in a cup?
    Community Answer
    It is not recommended, as they can climb it and get out.
  • Question
    Could I put another species of milipede so that means i have 2 different species of milipede in one container
    Erik Petrovich
    Community Answer
    No, keep different millipede species in separate enclosures, as they will fight with eachother
  • Question
    I have found a small millipede, I was wondering if I could use sand instead of soil?
    Community Answer
    No, millipedes require soil in their habitat.
  • Question
    How often does vivarium need to be cleaned?
    Community Answer
    Clean the vivarium once a week, because their food might become moldy, and/or they can bury it where you can't see it.
  • Question
    Where do I find millipedes?
    Leah Bonetti
    Community Answer
    They love to live under rocks and in rotting wood.
  • Question
    I’m aware that I need to give the cuttlefish bones ground up, but should it be like a powder, or something similar to sand?
    Anonymousfigure
    Community Answer
    You can ground up the cuttlefish bones and put a very small amount of water to make a paste, which would be great for them to eat.
  • Question
    How do you pick them up?
    Anonymousfigure
    Community Answer
    Let it crawl into your hand. But if it is rolled up, you can pick it up, but do so lightly.
  • Question
    I found a millipede outside my house and I want to find out its gender. How do I do this?
    Sosig
    Top Answerer
    Male millipedes will be missing a pair of legs at around 8 segments behind their head. This is where the genitals are. Females will have pairs of legs on all segments (unless they've been ripped or cut off).
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article