what to feed pet millipede

Items that are perfect to feed millipedes are:

• Fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, pears, oranges and pumpkin.
• Vegetables such as cucumber, endive, chicory, carrots, celery and tomatoes.
• Dry dog or cat food pellets.
• Powdered food such as powdered milk, baby powder formula and powdered calcium supplement.

Full Answer

What do pet millipedes eat?

Pet millipedes are primarily herbivores, consuming fruits, veggies, and decaying plant materials. What do giant millipedes eat? Giant millipedes, such as giant African millipedes and American giant millipedes, feed on rotting plant matters. Do millipedes eat mushrooms? Yes, some millipedes eat mushrooms and other fungi. Do millipedes eat wood?

How do you take care of a pet millipede?

Housing Your Pet Millipede. 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.

Do millipedes need water?

Luckily, millipedes have fewer problems molting than most other bugs. Water is offered to millipedes in two common methods. A small, shallow water dish with the addition of a few pebbles will help prevent drowning. If you don't want to spend the couple bucks for a nice looking water dish, any upside-down lid will do.

What can I feed my millipedes?

Food for millipedes Millipedes generally eat fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, moistened dry cat food, moistened fish food, rotting wood and rotting leaves. Not all species eat the same. Some species only live of specific food sources such as rotting woods, while others can live off anything.

How do you keep a millipede as a pet?

Millipede careEnsure temperature is maintained at 70 to 78°F and humidity is maintained at 60 to 70%Handle millipedes as little as possible; wash hands before and after handling.Do not allow a millipede's secretion to come into contact with your eyes, mouth or open wounds.

What do pet millipedes need?

Giant millipedes need a secure aquarium tank with a warm light source and regulated humidity. They eat easy-to-find vegetables, and they generally don't mind being handled. Just make sure to wash your hands after handling a millipede because it can emit a toxic substance from its body when alarmed.

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 get lonely?

They can live alone, but they also can live with others. They will be fine either way. Do two males get along in the same cage? Yes, millipedes can live together if there's enough room with no problem regardless of sex.

Is a millipede a good pet?

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. They're fairly low maintenance pets and can be handled even by young children, with supervision, of course.

How long do pet millipedes live?

In captivity a millipede can live to be ten years old, but most specimens are wild-collected so it is impossible to predict how long one will live.

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.

Why do millipedes curl up?

When attacked, millipedes curl their bodies into tight spirals to protect their soft undersides. This coil shape also protects their heads and legs. They sometimes burrow to bury themselves when disturbed, using their front legs to push away the soil.

What do millipedes need to survive?

Millipedes prefer to live outdoors. They need a lot of moisture, so they tend to live in damp areas. Around the yard, millipedes will be found in gardens and flowerbeds. They live under mulch, under dead leaves, or even under piles of grass clippings.

How do you know if a millipede is a boy or girl?

For species in which the male gonopods are visible, you will see two small stumps in place of a pair of legs. If the gonopods are hidden, you should notice a gap where the legs would be, as compared to any other segment on the body. In females, the 7th segment will look just like all the others, with two pairs of legs.

Do millipedes need heat lamps?

Heating and Light There is no need for an additional light source for your giant African millipede because they are nocturnal. You also don't need a heat lamp because their ideal temperature is from 70-80 degrees.

What does a millipede need to survive?

Millipedes prefer to live outdoors. They need a lot of moisture, so they tend to live in damp areas. Around the yard, millipedes will be found in gardens and flowerbeds. They live under mulch, under dead leaves, or even under piles of grass clippings.

How long do millipedes live in a house?

2-4 weeksLifespan of Millipedes in the House If millipedes venture inside a typical home or business and are not able to find living conditions similar to their protected, moist and food plentiful outdoor habitats, they will not live for much more than 2-4 weeks after coming indoors.

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.

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.

What do millipedes eat?

Millipedes eat primarily decaying organic matter, like rotten wood and leaves, which should be available at all times for you pet millipede. Although they can solely survive on this food, it is good practice to provide supplemental food items like fruits and vegetables.

What is the primary food source for millipedes?

The primary food source for millipedes is decaying wood and rotten leaves. Tasty right? Well, it is in the eyes of millipedes. And this is what should be available for them at all times. They won’t thrive on a diet consisting only of fruit and vegetables.

What happens if you forget to remove millipedes?

If you forget to remove/replace the items, the mould and bacteria start to grow rapidly, which in turn harm your young baby millipedes. As soon as the small millipedes have grown to half the adult size, they will start emerging above ground and also start feeding on the other food items you provide.

Why do millipedes lay under food?

Especially smaller millipedes do that. Maybe because they prefer the protection and safety of the substrate. When you give them food in a bowl, they can’t access the food.

Do millipedes eat grass?

So please don’t feed them fresh leaves or grass, they won’t do anything with it .

Does softwood kill millipedes?

Softwood often has resinous sap in it which harm or kill your millipede. It is the same as with using pines. They are unhealthy for millipedes. The rotten wood needs to be very soft (so rotten that you can scrape pieces off with your fingernail). Avoid the dark brown and black rotten wood pieces.

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 to Feed Your Millipede Pet?

Millipedes are easy to care for, and when it comes to feeding there are a number of options available to you. Surprisingly, they will actually happily feed on the substrate they are living in, but you should also add other foods to ensure the millipede is getting all the nutrients it requires for a healthy existence.

How Often Should You Feed Your Millipede?

As millipedes are nocturnal, they will typically feed during the night. To that end, you should provide food every evening but be sure to remove any uneaten items the following morning to prevent it from spoiling.

What Does a Millipede Eat?

Millipedes eat anything decaying, including plant material, other bugs, and even animals. They are omnivores and are also considered detritivores, which means they only eat things that have died and are in the process of decaying.

A Complete List of 9 Foods Millipedes Eat

Millipedes eat anything decaying, including plant material, other bugs, and even animals.

What to Feed Millipedes as a Pet

Did you know that you can keep giant millipedes as pets with little trouble? While they can be a bit sneaky and are considered escape artists, multiple millipedes can be kept in an enclosed tank in your home. If this is something you’re interested in, great!

How Does a Millipede Eat?

Millipedes eat with their mandibles, a lower jaw, and a few tiny teeth. They are also known as being from the Diplopoda class of animal species. This class includes nearly 10,000 different types of millipedes.

How Much Does a Millipede Eat?

A millipede can eat nearly 5 times its body weight between the time it hatches and once it reaches adulthood. This is usually accomplished by consuming decaying leaves and other plant matter found on moist forest floors.

Do Millipedes Have Any Predators?

A millipede can eat nearly 5 times its body weight between the time it hatches and once it reaches adulthood.

Can Millipedes be Kept as Pets?

Millipedes are a popular invertebrate species to keep as pets. With over 10,000 species of millipede in the world there are plenty to choose from. However, some species of millipede are more commonly found in the pet trade than others.

Best Millipede Starter Kit

Here is a list of all of the basic items you will need in order to care for your pet millipede. Everything you need to get started keeping millipedes is included.

How to House your Pet Millipede

When planning to get your pet millipede the first thing you will need to think about is the kind of ecnlosure you are going to keep your pet millipede in.

Size of Terrarium for Millipedes

As a general rule of thumb, a millipede tank should be at least three times the length of the largest millipede in all directions. If you do not have a lid for your tank, having one that is at least three times the height of the millipede is important to prevent your pet millipedes from escaping.

Best Substrate for Millipedes

In the wild, millipedes live on the ground and in the top soil layers feeding on decaying organic matter. To replicate their natural habitat in captivity it is important to provide them with enough substrate to burrow in.

Temperature and Humidity Levels

Having the correct temperature and humidity levels is vital to the survival of your pet millipedes. Millipedes in the pet trade typically come from very humid environments therefore, you should add enough water to substrate as well as maintaining the humidity by regularly spraying the terrarium with a water mister.

What to Feed Your Pet Millipede

Some species of millipede have a specific source of food such as rotting and decaying woods. However, most species of millipede available in the pet trade are not fussy eaters and will feed on fruit and vegetables, rotting wood, rotting leaves, mushrooms as well as moistened dry cat or dog food.

How to house multiple millipedes?

If you want to house multiple millipedes, be sure to add some space to the tank. You need to provide your millipedes with a good substrate on the floor of the terrarium and with nice moist hiding places. As a substrate you can use potting earth or soil for your garden or forrest area.

What temperature do millipedes need to survive?

Be sure to check what temperature your species needs. Generally 25 degrees celsius should be good.

What is the difference between centipedes and millipedes?

The difference between millipedes and centipedes is easy; millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment, eat plant material and are pretty docile. Centi pedes have one pair of legs per segment, eat insects or other animals and most species can move pretty quickly.

How many species of millipedes are there?

Pill bugs are also related to millipedes but are actually isopod crustaceans and more related to shrimps, crabs and water fleas. There are around 10.000 species of millipedes on Earth.

What class are millipedes in?

Archispirostreptus gigas – African Giant Black Millipede. Millipedes are part of the class Diplopoda. The are closely related to centipedes, class Chilopoda, and you could refer to millipedes and centipedes together as myriapods.

How big of a tank do you need for millipedes?

The size of the tank depends on how many millipedes you want to keep and and on their size. Generally speaking the tank should be at least 3 times the length of the largest millipede in all directions.

Where do millipedes live?

Natural habitat of millipedes. Millipedes occur in all continents (except Antarctica) and almost all countries. They generally live inside or just on top of the soil. The biggest species occur in the tropics. In temperate zones the millipedes generally become just 1 to 2 cm in lenght and are not kept as pets.

What do millipedes eat?

Food. One of the really 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. Everything from fruits and vegetables to bits of dried pet food are eaten but these should all be considered supplements.

How to care for millipedes?

Millipedes are generally safe to handle, but all species should be considered dangerous to the extent that they are capable of emitting toxic chemicals. They are commonly used as "hands on" teaching aids by many educators around the world. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling millipedes, and keep them out of your eyes and mouth. Millipedes grow by shedding their skin and hobby species range from about 2 inches to about 10 inches.

Why do millipedes need humidity?

Humidity. Humidity is doubly important for pet bugs. Millipedes like to drink water and they need more than a bit of environmental humidity in their habitat when the time comes for them to shed their skin. Luckily, millipedes have fewer problems molting than most other bugs.

How to dry out a millipede cage overnight?

If your cage has a lot of ventilation (air holes), a simple solution is to take a sheet of wax paper and pinch it between the cage/container and lid as you put the lid on.

How to keep millipedes out of your mouth?

They are commonly used as "hands on" teaching aids by many educators around the world. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling millipedes, and keep them out of your eyes and mouth. Millipedes grow by shedding their skin and hobby species range from about 2 inches to about 10 inches.

What is substrate for millipedes?

Substrate is the term used to describe what you line the bottom of the habitat with. Frankly, coconut fiber and peat moss and all other store-bought substrate mixes I have ever seen are unsuitable for pet millipedes. I make and sell a 2 pound "composite mix' of substrate.

Do millipedes need ventilation?

Millipedes do not need much ventilation though, and desiccation (drying out) is the most common cause of death in captivity. If you look at your millipedes once a week, you're probably changing the air enough for them in their tank to make even having holes in the container necessary.

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 often should I clean a millipede habitat?

Thoroughly clean and disinfect the habitat at least once a week: place millipede in a secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse thoroughly with water, removing all traces of bleach smell. Dry the tank and furnishings before adding clean substrate.

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.