Millipedes
- Millipedes make a great pocket pet and are perfect for interesting class projects.
- Millipedes are regularly used as "hands on" teaching aids by many educators around the world.
- The millipede body consists of many segments and each of these segments has two pairs of legs. On their head they have antennae, eyes and mouthparts. Their mouthparts are made for nibbling, like in stick insects, not for biting like in mantises or ants.
- Millipedes can live for a long time, up to ten years. They get along together and are active and entertaining.
- Millipedes are born out of eggs. Newborn millipedes don’t look exactly like their adult parents; they generally only have a few pairs of legs. As the millipede grows, they molt several times. With each consecutive molt they add segments and legs to their body, becoming more and more like the adults of their species. Eggs are generally laid inside moist soil and the female can lay hundreds of eggs.
- One of the great conveniences about keeping millipedes as pets is how easy they are to feed.
- Millipedes are omnivores, so they eat pretty much anything and everything. These guys love eating decaying oak and maple leaves. Also, bark and moss is a favorite of the millipede.
- By adding living moss, you will add some nice green color and at the same time provide your millipedes with fresh food and hiding places.
- Everything from fruits and vegetables to bits of dried pet food are eaten.
- You can feed your millipedes just by placing the food on top of the substrate. If the food goes bad or moldy, like fruit and vegetables, remove it before it starts to mold or rot.
- Adequate temperature and humidity are crucial to the survival of your millipedes. Millipedes generally like moist environments, so be sure to add enough water to the substrate of the terrarium. Use aged water (Water that has been allowed to sit for more than 24 hours). You can use a spray bottle lightly moistening the environment.
- Be sure to check what temperature your species needs. Generally, Temperature: 75 to 85° F Humidity: 60%
- Millipede enthusiasts enjoy the fact that many species get quite large and can be kept together in colonies.
- Millipedes are generally safe to handle, but all species should be considered dangerous to the extent that they can emit toxic chemicals.
- Be sure to add a weekly dusting of calcium.
- Children should be supervised, and hands should be washed before and after handling.
- Do not place in direct sunlight.