Animalscaretips
In 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.
- What can I feed my millipede?
- What are millipedes favorite food?
- Can you keep a millipede as a pet?
- Are millipedes harmful?
- Do millipedes eat vegetables?
- Can millipedes bite?
- What happens if you touch a millipede?
- How many babies do millipedes have?
- Can millipedes swim?
- How can you tell if a millipede is male or female?
- Do millipedes need a water dish?
- Do millipedes eat dead bugs?
- Can you keep a millipede in a jar?
- Do millipedes eat spiders?
- How do millipedes sleep?
What can I feed my millipede?
In captivity, they can be fed a variety of vegetables and fruits, cut into small pieces. Softer vegetables and fruits are best; try leaf lettuce, cucumber (reported to be a favorite food of millipedes), tomatoes, melon, peaches, and bananas.
What are millipedes favorite food?
Millipedes are omnivores and seek out both plant and animal-based sources of food. They prefer to eat mostly dead and decaying plant-based matter, but they sometimes can be found snacking away on live roots or decomposing animals when those are the only option.
Can you keep a millipede as a pet?
If you've never cared for an arthropod pet before, a millipede is a good first choice. ... They're fairly low maintenance pets and can be handled even by young children, with supervision, of course. Many pet stores sell African giant millipedes, which grow to 10 inches or more in length.
Are millipedes harmful?
Millipedes are not poisonous, but many species have glands capable of producing irritating fluids that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The defensive sprays of some millipedes contain hydrochloric acid that can chemically burn the skin and cause long-term skin discoloration.
Do millipedes eat vegetables?
Being vegetarians, millipedes eat plant matter Some feed on decomposing vegetation and fallen fruit while others will occasionally damage seedling plants by consuming stems and leaves. They eat all kinds of potatoes, flower bulbs, and tubers. They live in the garden in areas of moist mulch, compost, and lawn thatch.
Can millipedes bite?
Millipedes do not bite but may secrete a toxin that is irritating, causing burning and itching of the skin and, particularly when accidentally rubbed into the eye, causing redness, swelling, and pain of the conjunctiva or the cornea. ... If a skin reaction develops, a corticosteroid cream should be applied.
What happens if you touch a millipede?
Millipede toxin can cause blisters and burns. Wash your skin right away, even if you don't think a millipede has emitted any liquid onto your skin. This can help prevent a possible allergic reaction. If you develop blisters as a result of handling millipedes, wash your skin with lukewarm water and regular soap.
How many babies do millipedes have?
After mating, most female millipede species lay 20 to 30 eggs, while some give birth to live young. Female millipedes burrow in warm soil where they can lay their eggs and cover them with a protective capsule usually out of their own feces.
Can millipedes swim?
Millipedes can only swim for a short period of time. They breathe oxygen through spiracles located at the base of their legs, so if they remain submerged in the water for more than a few minutes, they are unable to access oxygen, and they will drown.
How can you tell if a millipede is male or female?
In some millipede species, the gonopods are visible, while in others they are hidden. In either case, you should be able to identify a millipede as male by examining the underside of the 7th segment. For species in which the male gonopods are visible, you will see two small stumps in place of a pair of legs.
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. ... You'll be fine keeping your millipedes at room temperature. For most species, 72F to 78F is ideal.
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.
Can you keep a millipede in a jar?
Millipedes won't be out and about during winter. To find your pet millipede, turn over a large rock or damp log and look for some dark-colored, tightly curled creatures. You can scoop your millipede pet into an insect collection jar with a bit of damp soil and keep him there until you get him into his new home.
Do millipedes eat spiders?
Centipedes generally have less than 15 pairs of legs and only one pair per body segment, while millipedes can have as many as 350 pairs of legs. Centipedes mostly feed on other creatures, specifically insects and spiders, using a poison to paralyze their prey. Millipedes feed on decaying plant matter.
How do millipedes sleep?
Lighting - Keep habitat away from sunlight; millipedes sleep during the day and do not like bright, hot lights; a red or blue bulb will allow you to watch the evening activities of your millipede without disturbance.
