A well-balanced diet consists of:
- Vegetables and fruit such as romaine lettuce, squash, carrots, apples, cucumber, melon slices and bananas. Avoid iceberg lettuce because it does not provide enough nourishment
- Apples and cucumbers are favorites, but everything must be sliced or peeled due to the millipede’s weak mouthparts
- Ground cuttlebone will supply needed lime salts and calcium
Do millipedes eat apples and bananas?
While the majority of their diet should be composed of decaying leaves from hardwood trees (maple, oak, walnut, etc) and decaying wood, giant millipedes will eat all manner of fruits and vegetables including melons, bananas, apples, cucumbers, peaches, carrots, and romaine lettuce (but not iceberg lettuce, as it doesn’t provide adequate ...
What do millipedes taste like?
It is a bird with a flavor all out of proportion to its size. As small as it is, one bird makes a great appetizer, and four a hearty meal. They taste like a combination of squab and duck, with something else. Are mallards good eating? Mallard.
Do millipedes need water?
Yes, like almost any other animal, millipedes do need water to keep hydrated and alive. However, the way how to provide it differs. I don’t use any water bowl. Although a shallow water bowl doesn’t cause many problems (it is improbable that small millipedes will drown in it), I don’t see any perk to providing one.
What do millipedes need to live?
Millipedes
- Morphology of millipede. Millipedes have a peculiar body plan. ...
- The senses of a millipedes. It is believed that millipedes have the same senses as we do: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch.
- Development and life cycle. Millipedes are born out of eggs. ...
- Natural habitat of millipedes. ...
What do I feed my pet millipede?
Feeding Your Pet Millipede The herbivorous millipede will happily munch on almost any fruit or vegetable you offer, although they do have favorites. They also require calcium in their diets in order to molt and grow properly.
What do millipedes eat and drink?
Millipedes eat anything decaying, including plant material, other bugs, and even animals.Tree bark.Plant materials, such as leaves or buds.Decaying plant fescue.Decaying carcasses.Other bugs.Fungi or mushrooms.Fruits.Vegetables.More items...•
Do millipedes need food?
Things to remember when feeding your millipede: Feed once a day, as much food as they will consume in a night. Discard uneaten vegetables and fruits each morning.
What do most millipedes eat?
decaying wood particlesIn their natural habitat, most millipedes are scavengers. They eat damp or decaying wood particles. They also eat decaying leaves and other plant material. If their habitat starts to dry out, millipedes will attack living plants.
Do millipedes need a water dish?
Millipedes will drink from standing water – some people provide them with a small water bowl. But misting, providing a moist substrate, and providing fresh food will keep them hydrated.
Do millipedes eat vegetables?
Do millipedes eat vegetables? Millipedes generally feed on decaying plants and organic matter in the soil. They consume saplings, seedlings, flowers, buds, leaves, stalks, roots, wood, and leaf and plant fluids. Along with these food sources, they also consume vegetables as well as fruits.
Does millipede drink water?
Although millipedes will gain much of the moisture that they need from their food, they will still drink from a water bowl. This should be shallow so that there is no danger of drowning and should be kept fresh at all times.
Do millipedes eat human food?
Millipedes will sometimes search out and eat earthworms, snails and other insects. Q: DO MILLIPEDES EAT ANYTHING HUMANS EAT? A: Maybe.
How do I feed my millipedes calcium?
These can be given by adding a few flakes of fish food or rabbit pellets each week. Calcium is very important in the diet and this should be given in the form of cuttlefish, which is usually given to aviary birds. Water should not be necessary unless you are keeping the cage fairly dry.
Can you keep a millipede as a pet?
Giant millipedes are fun pets for people who enjoy "creepy-crawly" creatures and those seeking to overcome their fears of them. Giant millipedes are calm and tolerant of handling, plus they have pretty simple habitat and food needs, so they make great exotic pets.
Do millipedes eat dead bugs?
Millipedes prefer defense and typically cower from danger and predators. When it comes to what millipedes eat, they focus more on feeding on decaying matter. This could be rotting flesh, plants, dead insects, and sometimes small plants.
Do millipedes eat tomatoes?
Depending on the population levels and amount of other food available, millipedes will feed on any and all tender seedlings, as well as mature plants and fruits including strawberries, melons, tomatoes, potatoes, and onions.
Can you keep a millipede as a pet?
Giant millipedes are fun pets for people who enjoy "creepy-crawly" creatures and those seeking to overcome their fears of them. Giant millipedes are calm and tolerant of handling, plus they have pretty simple habitat and food needs, so they make great exotic pets.
Is it safe to hold a millipede?
It is not advisable to handle millipedes with your bare hands. Persons handling millipedes may also notice a lingering odor on their hands. After contact with millipedes, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water until the odor is gone. The solvents ether or alcohol will also help remove the noxious fluid.
Are millipedes friendly?
Millipedes are fairly docile critters.
How long do millipedes live for?
between 7 and 10 yearsUnlike other arthropods with relatively short lives, millipedes can live between 7 and 10 years. Most male millipede species do not have legs on the 7th segment to give space for the gonopods or sex organs.
How many legs does a millipede have?
The number of legs varies by species, but most have approximately 300 legs.
What do millipedes eat?
Millipedes like to eat vegetables and fruits such as romaine lettuce, squash, carrots, apples, cucumber, melon slices and bananas that are sliced o...
What is a millipede?
A millipede is an arthropod, an invertebrate animal of the large phylum Arthropoda
How long do millipedes live?
A millipede can live up to 11 years with proper care.
How does a millipede drink water?
Millipedes get a majority of their water from the fresh fruits and veggies that they eat, but their cuticle is also somewhat water permeable and wi...
How to keep millipedes from drowning?
Discard uneaten vegetables and fruits each morning. Water - Always have a shallow dish of chlorine free water available ; place a sponge or stones in the dish to keep the millipede from drowning; if a sponge is used in the dish it must be replaced often due to bacteria growth.
How many legs does a millipede have?
Millipede. narceus americanus. The millipede’s name means "thousand-legger", which is what they appear to be. Millipedes actually have only 200 to 300 legs and at least four eyes. They are gentle and easy to handle, sleep during the day and come out in the evening to eat.
What is the best diet for a swollen mouth?
Diet. A well-balanced diet consists of: Vegetables and fruit,such as romaine lettuce,squash, melon slices and bananas; avoid iceberg lettuce because it does not provide enough nourishment. Apples and cucumbers are favorites but everything must be sliced or peeled due to their weak mouthparts. Ground cuttlebone will supply needed lime salts.
Do millipedes bite?
Normal Behavior. Generally easy to handle; millipedes don’t bite, move slowly and have tough shells. Nocturnal (active at night). When feeling threatened, they curl up into a tight spiral with their shells to the outside to protect themselves and may secrete a foul-smelling and -tasting fluid meant to repel predators.
How to care for millipedes?
The key to caring for millipedes successfully is to provide them with the appropriate habitat. Millipedes require ample floor space, while the height of the terrarium is less important. You can use a number of different materials for the substrate. An appropriate water source for your millipede is important as well.
Where do millipedes come from?
Most large millipedes you can purchase from pet stores or science catalogs come from the tropics. They require a higher temperature and humidity level than other arthropods commonly kept as pets. All pet millipedes need adequate moisture, which means you must use a proper substrate and mist the terrarium regularly.
What is an African giant millipede?
An African giant millipede, is a popular arthropod pet. Ants. Bees, & Wasps. Debbie Hadley is a science educator with 25 years of experience who has written on science topics for over a decade. If you've never cared for an arthropod pet before, a millipede is a good first choice. Millipedes are herbivorous, so they are easy and inexpensive to feed.
Do millipedes eat fruit?
The herbivorous millipede will happily munch on almost any fruit or vegetable you offer, although they do have favorites. They also require calcium in their diets in order to molt and grow properly. You'll need to know how to prepare their food, how to supplement their diet with calcium, and how often to feed them.
Can you find millipedes at a pet store?
In general, millipedes have few health issues, and you're unlikely to find sickly millipedes at your local pet store. Still, it's good to know how to recognize an unhealthy millipede before you make a purchase, so you can avoid problems once you bring one home.
Do millipedes feel nervous?
Even a millipede can feel nervous! You should always strive to keep your millipede feeling secure and comfortable, even when you are handling it. It's also important to know how millipedes defend themselves, in the event your pet millipede does feel threatened in your hands.
What kind of food do millipedes need?
Check what kind of food your species of millipede needs to thrive, and be sure to replace its water on a daily basis. Some millipedes prefer fruits and veggies, some prefer rotting wood and plant matter, but feeding the wrong type of food to the wrong millipede could make it abnormally lethargic. ...
What do millipedes eat?
Millipedes eat many different foods, but depending on the species, it will have certain preferences. Some millipedes only eat leaves and wood, while others will eat just about anything you provide.
How to keep millipedes out of my enclosure?
2. Add a layer of mulch to the bottom of the enclosure, such as moss or bark. Millipedes need moist mulch to be able to thrive. The best thing to use is a mix of fresh moss and bark lightly soaked in water, but there are specialty substrates available from most insect-oriented pet stores.
How to keep millipedes from drowning in water?
Provide purified or chlorine-free water in a shallow bowl filled with rocks. Fill the bowl with water, then add a layer of rocks to the bottom of the bowl. This will prevent your millipede from drowning in the water, as it will stand on the rocks and drink from the surface.
How to keep more than one millipede?
You should aim to have the tank be three times as long as the length of your millipedes combined. Add a layer of mulch to the bottom of the enclosure, such as moss or bark . Millipedes need moist mulch to be able to thrive.
How to clean a millipede?
Remove your millipede and keep him in a sealed nearby plastic container while you clean. Remove everything from the habitat and wipe down the sides and scenery with a rag soaked in 3% bleach solution. Wash the bleach away with a rag soaked in water, until there is no trace or scent of bleach at all.
How to keep a millipede from escaping?
1. Use a 5 US gal (19 L) aquarium with no holes and a lid for its enclosure. Make sure your millipede can breathe! Cover the top of the tank to prevent your millipede from escaping, or ensure that the top is at least three times as tall as the length of your millipede or big enough for it to be happy.
How to keep millipedes healthy?
The substrate needs to be kept moist at all times. Humidity is an essential aspect of keeping healthy millipedes. After moistening, you can let the substrate top layer dry a bit before it needs to be moistened again. Depending on the ventilation and airflow, and the ambient humidity of the room, you’ll need to mist the substrate from daily to once a week. Millipedes drink from the moist substrate and water drops on leaves. Never let the substrate completely dry out.
What species of millipedes are kept as pets?
But the species that are kept are often the more giant and tropical ones. Although this care guide focuses more on keeping the African giant black millipede ( Archipirostreptus gigas) — the most common millipede — many information and practical tips are useful for any tropical giant millipede species kept in captivity. Not all millipede species are evenly successful in being held at home, and some needs just a bit more experience. Some popular millipede species that are kept are:
How big should a millipede enclosure be?
As a general guide to decide how large your enclosure needs to be, you can say that the enclosure should be three times the length of the theoretical adult size millipede in width, except for the height. The height should be at least two times the length.
How are centipedes and millipedes different?
Although millipedes and centipedes belong to the same group of multi-legged species, there are some distinctive features which make them different. Millipedes have two pair of legs per segment — or two segments fus ed together, are docile and are detritivores, eating on decaying wood, leaves and plant matters. Centipedes, on the contrary, have one pair of feet on each segment, are predominantly carnivores and eat mostly insects, and are venomous and can inflict painful bites. Millipedes are also generally slow-moving, where centipedes can be rather quick.
What phylum do millipedes belong to?
Millipedes belong to the phylum anthropods and have an exoskeleton made out of many segments. Millipedes are characterised by having two pair of feet on most body segments, which are actually two single segments that are fused together.
Why do millipedes need to be cleaned?
The only thing that needs to be done regularly is to remove uneaten food items that are in the enclosure too long.
What are the features of a millipede enclosure?
Important features are the ventilation capacity of the enclosure, the closing of doors and openings and, of course, the visibility to enjoy your millipede pet. Don’t forget that the location of the enclosure is equally important. Not only to create a proper environment, but also the safety of your millipedes.
