Centipede and Millipede Care

Myriapods Characteristics and Keeping Them as Pets

Giant Desert CentipedeDavid Brough
Centipedes and Millipedes can be great pets when you want something different
and interesting!
Centipede and Millipede Care
What are Centipedes?
Centipedes as Pets
What are Millipedes?
Millipedes as Pets
Housing Types
Terrarium Supplies
Foods and Feeding
References
Keeping centipedes and millipedes as pets is a fascinating hobby. Both are enjoyed for their
interesting appearance and behaviors. But there are very important differences between a centipede
and a millipede.
A millipede is a great first arthropod to keep as a pet. It is safe even for children, with supervision.
A popular pet available in pets stores is the African Giant Millipede, which can grow up to 10
inches in length. Other pets can be collected from the wild. However if you obtain a brightly
colored specimen, they can secrete hydrogen cyanide, which can cause a burning sensation on
sensitive skin.
A centipede on the other hand, is for advanced keepers only. Centipedes are venomous and
potentially dangerous to humans, especially children. Centipedes are unlike most invertebrate pets
being kept in captivity. They should be kept similarly to venomous snakes with a secure enclosure
system. Once they are established in a secure enclosure and once some experience is gained in their
care and daily husbandry, centipedes can provide hours of fascination.
Taxonomically centipedes and millipedes are most commonly grouped as myriapods under the
phylum Anthropoda. These arthropods are invertebrates, just as insects are, but they have a lot more
legs. While insects only have 6 pairs of legs, the number of legs is quite variable between species of
myriapods. The name Millipede means "10,000 legs" and the name centipede means "100 legs".
Although most don't have nearly as many as 100, there are some that have significantly more, but
there aren't any that have 10,000
Myriapods make great pets when you are simply looking for something different and interesting.
This information on housing, foods, and care requirements will help you understand these types of
pets. From here, go learn about your individual pet's behaviors and needs. Understand the type of
pet you are getting to know what to expect and what to do. This will maximize your enjoyment, as
well as the life and health of your pet. For information guides on individual species, see: Centipedes
and Millipedes, Guides to Myriapod Species.
For information on keeping other types of arthropods, see:
Land Invertebrate Care: Keeping Arachnids and Other Arthropods as Pets


What are Centipedes?
Centipedes are land dwelling invertebrates that comprise the class, Chilopoda. There are about 8000
species in the world, with about 2,500 of them named.
There are many kinds of Centipedes, but they are all rather flattened worm-like animals. Their
bodies are divided into segments. The first segment is a head with a pair of antennae and the rest of
the segments each have a pair of legs attached. Most centipedes are between 1.5 to 2" (4 - 5 cm) in
length with about 15 pairs of legs. But their sizes do range from 0.8" to 12" (2 - 30 cm) and they can
have from 15 to 191 pairs of legs. The largest centipede is Scolopendra gigantca (12") from the
tropics of Central America.
Centipedes are almost totally predatory, fast moving, and aggressive. They are very active and will
quickly scurry away from a disturbance. They usually prefer moist habitats or areas of high
humidity. Centipedes can be quite long-lived, some have been known to live up to 6 years.
Centipedes as Pets
Centipedes are fascinating pets for advanced hobbyists. However, they are not pets to be handled,
rather they are visual pets enjoyed for their interesting appearance and behaviors. Although they are
not considered aggressive towards humans, centipedes to not like to be cornered or touched and will
respond defensively in such situations.
Note: Centipedes are not for the beginner! Centipedes are potentially dangerous and should only be
kept by an advanced hobbyist.
Centipedes do not sting, but have a pair of poison claws behind the head and use the poison to
paralyze their prey, usually small insects. Though it is reported in some places on-line that the jaws
of centipedes are weak and can rarely penetrate human skin, most of the larger specimens being
sold as pets can indeed give a very painful bite (or pinch). Careless individuals who are bitten can
expect fairly intense pain, swelling, and a throbbing sensation. Depending on the species, this pain
will last from an hour to several hours.
They do not carry diseases that can be contracted by people, animal or plants; but all centipedes
have a certain amount of venom and will bite (or pinch). The bite of even the largest centipede is
not toxic enough to be lethal. The venom usually produces only a moderate reaction similar to that
of a bee sting. Some people however, may be allergic to the venom or more sensitive to it. If there
is a significant reaction, a physician should be consulted at once
Though fascinating to watch, centipedes should be carefully manipulated with snake handling tools,
paint brushes, and thick gloves, rather than handed. Centipedes are unlike most invertebrate pets
being kept in captivity. They should be kept similarly to venomous snakes with a secure enclosure
system. Once they are established in a secure enclosure and once some experience is gained in their
care and daily husbandry, centipedes can provide hours of fascination.
What are Millipedes?
Millipedes are land dwelling invertebrates that comprise the class, Diplopoda. This class contains
about 10,000 species. Millipedes bodies are divided into segments with two pairs of legs per
segment. However they have no legs on the first segment behind the head, and then only one pair of
legs on the next few segments. But there are two pairs of legs per segment after that.
Millipedes differ from Centipedes in body shape, being more cylindrical rather than flattened. Also,
while centipedes have only a single pair of legs atttached to the sides of each body segment,
millipedes generally have 2 legs per segment and they are attached near the ventral midline.
These are mostly slow moving detritivores, that feed on decaying leaves and other dead plant
matter. They range in size from about 2" to 10" inches in length, and as they grow they shed their
skin. Some grow very large, up to a foot long. They are long lived, hardy, and can also be handled
some.
Millipedes as Pets
Millipedes They are among the easiest pet arthropods to care for. Many species can get quite large
and they can be kept together in colonies. They are gentle, nocturnal invertebrates that are long
lived, hardy, and easy to care for. They make good pets because they harmless, and can't bite you.
As far as handling, most are quite safe, but the brighter colored species can secrete hydrogen
cyanide. This is a toxic chemical which can cause a burning sensation on sensitive skin. Wash your
hands with soap and water before and after handling millipedes.
Housing Types
Enclosures for myriapods:
Terrariums
Myriapods do well in enclosures with plenty of floor space. They will spend a great deal of
time exploring their enclosure at night, searching for a tasty meal. We use 20-gallon
terrariums for most of our larger specimens. Smaller specimens can be kept in 10-gallon
terrariums. A tightly fitting screen lid should be provided. If you have small children in your
home, a lid with securing clips is probably warranted. We like the taller enclosures because
it gives you space to be creative with live plants, driftwood, cork bark, etc. and the top of the
enclosure is not easily reached by the exploring myriapod.

Plastic Containers
Many keepers house their myriapods in large (9 to 10") deli tubs. These tubs make suitable
housing for those with large collections as they stack easily on a shelf. They must be
perforated and the myriapods must be watched daily to make sure their humidity needs are
met. One of the benefits of a deep substrate in a larger terrarium is that myriapods in these
types of enclosures can be neglected occasionally and the humidity will remain acceptable.
There have been reports of some myriapods actually "chewing" out of these plastic tubs.
Terrarium Supplies
In nature myriapods are found in a variety of habitats, but most seen to prefer moist protected places
such as under stones, rotted logs, leaves or bark.
Substrates (floor coverings)
o Arid Environments
A mixture of play sand and peat moss or coconut bedding works well for
specimens from drier habitats such as Arizona and west Texas.

o Tropical Environments
For tropical species, you can use a mix of play sand and coconut bedding and
peat moss. Dampen it initially and then once a week spray the enclosure. Make one
end of the enclosure a little damper than the other so the myriapod can choose the
amount of dampness it requires.

Cage Decor
Providing a large piece of flat cork bark, tree bark, or other shelter adds some security for
the myriapod. You can also place some dried leaves and small sticks to the enclosure to add
to the interest.

Lighting
Though they remain hidden by day, the myriapod enclosure can be fitted with a red or blue
bulb. This bulb can be turned on at night and the keeper can watch the myriapod foraging
for prey and exploring its surrounding.
Foods and Feeding
Centipedes and Millipedes have very different dietary requirements. Centipedes are carnivores that
eat prey, while Millipedes are detritivores, that feed on decaying leaves and other dead plant matter.
Millipedes
The great thing about keeping millipedes as pets is how easy they are to feed. They will eat
pretty much eat almost any fruit or vegetable you offer. They also require calcium in their
diets in order to shed their skin for proper growth.

Centipedes
Centipedes feed very well on a wide range of prey. Feed crickets and roaches once a week.
Once a month feed larger specimens a small pink mouse. Myriapods will also feed on
grasshoppers, moths, worms, and even small vertebrate prey, but be cautious of any prey
that is captured in nature as they may be carriers of internal parasites. Keep in mind that
overfed invertebrates, and especially overfed centipedes, seem to die much sooner than
those that are kept "lean and mean".