This African genus contains 13 species that range from Uganda through to West Africa and up to Morocco; it contains one of the few troglomorphic members of the Spirostreptidae in O. maroccanus. Currently only O. sjoestedti, one of the most geographically widespread species, is known to have been kept in captivity. Another species called O. sp. "2"/"Pink Banded" has been circulated amongst enthusiasts, though it is unknown at this time if it is another species or simply sjoestedti that has been mislabeled. ShurĂ Sigling reports that a final species, O. sp. "1", has been made available in Germany, though no further information is to be found with regards to it.
While this genus has been in the hands of enthusiasts for some time now, detailed care information is still lacking. Healthy adults appear to be quite hardy with standard millipede care, relishing rotting wood, leaves, and lichen, though as they are usually offered only as wild caught specimens and as such often come in with foot rot or fungal infections (they seem especially prone to these sorts of attacks); unhealthy specimens die rapidly. The sole report from the editors of captive-produced babies of O. sjoestedti observes that they are incredibly sensitive and have a very high die-off rate amongst the early instars, which is exacerbated if the amount of food in the form of rotting wood and leaves dips below a critical point. They also tend to get trapped on droplets of condensation on enclosure walls and under leaves very easily, and rapid temperature changes of more than a few degrees tends to trigger die-offs. Eggs, which are rather massive, were laid in small clusters buried in the substrate. Sigling reports that O. sp. "2" seems to appreciate fruits and protein-rich foods in her work Millipedes, a part of the Professional Breeders Series published by Edition Chimaira. Documentation of a terrarium for Odontostreptus sp.
As diplopoda.de notes in its article about this species, O. sjoestedti is a "Medium-sized black species. The rear edge of the double segments (metazonite) is narrowly yellowish-white in color. The surface of the segments is very wrinkled and the flanks are furrowed, which gives this species a very characteristic appearance and a matte sheen." Some specimens appear nearly all black, while others have more prominent peach-colored bands. O. sjoestedti reaches to about 7.5"/19 cm. Odontostreptus sp. "2" seems to have consistently broad, pinkish-yellow bands. Due to frequent interchanging of labels amongst sp. "2" and sjoestedti (see here for an example of what looks to be sjoestedti labeled as sp. "2"), the current taxonomic state of Odontostreptus in the hobby is likely muddled.