Large Forest Millipedes

This is a care guide for large, North American forest millipedes including Pink-foot Millipedes (Narceus americanus), Smokey Oak Millipedes (Narceus gordanus), and Ivory Millipedes (Chicobolus spinigerus).

Many details in this care guide also apply to other, smaller species from similar habitats.

Millipedes are decomposers. They are the primary native decomposer in North American forests.

Care

Substrate + Diet

The majority of a millipede's diet is the substrate they live in. This means the composition of their substrate is extremely important. Substrate depth should be at least equal to the length of your millipede's body. 5-6 inches is a safe depth to aim for. There are several commercial millipede substrates available online, or you can mix it yourself.

Millipede Soils are typically made up of the following:

Leaf Litter
Rotting Wood or Oak Flake Soil
Organic Topsoil or Coco Fiber

The leaf litter and rotting wood is what your millipedes will eat, so that is what should make up the bulk of the substrate, at least 50%. Top the soil with a layer of leaf litter, and add more as it gets depleted. You can collect your own leaf litter outside, we prefer to use oak and maple leaf litter, beech and magnolia are also safe options. Just ensure that the area you collect from does not have pesticides sprayed.

Aside from decaying matter, Millipedes occasionally need to be fed protein. For this, fish food with at least 30% minimum protein content can be sprinkled on top of the soil.

Millipedes also require a source of calcium for healthy growth. This can be provided in a variety of ways. We like to mix calcium powder into the substrate in addition to providing cuttlebone at the surface. Millipedes don't like to chew on calcium sources that are too hard such as seashells. Depending on the species they may eat eggshells. Cuttlebone is another great option for providing calcium. Some commercial invertebrate diets also include calcium.

Most Millipedes spend the majority of their time dug beneath the substrate. Though you may want to see and handle your millipedes, it is important that you do not attempt to dig them up. Millipedes like molt their exoskeletons while buried, and digging up a millipede risks injuring or killing them.

If you want to see your millipedes, you can attempt to spot them by sprinkling some fish food on top of the soil at night, and then leaving for a little while. When you come back, if your millipede isn't molting, they may be munching on the fresh food!

Enclosure Sizing

Ensuring that any enclosure can provide at least 5in of substrate depth

1-2 Adult Millipedes should have at least 2.5 gallons enclosure space.
5 gallon enclosure suitable for 3-5 adult millipedes.

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