Millipedes need access to food, water, and humidity to survive. For food, they typically eat decomposing plants and animals, including fungi, moss, and dead or rotting leaves and wood. Millipedes also need access to water, either through the soil or standing water, to prevent dehydration.
Finally, millipedes require a certain level of humidity, typically around 60-70%, to remain healthy, as they are not adapted to survive in very dry environments.
How do you keep millipedes alive?
Millipedes are hardy creatures, but they require specific environmental conditions in order to thrive. Keeping millipedes alive requires providing them with the correct temperature, humidity, and substrate.
Ideal temperature for millipedes should remain between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Millipedes can be provided with an under-tank heater as needed for heat. It’s also important to provide millipedes with a humid environment, as they will dry out and die quickly if their substrate isn’t kept moist.
This can be accomplished with a spritzing bottle or a humidity-tunnel setup. Spraying the millipede’s enclosure once or twice a day should provide the correct humidity.
The substrate of the enclosure should provide millipedes with the perfect place to hide and burrow. A mixture of topsoil, moistened potting soil, and peat moss provides millipedes with a moist and habitable environment.
Additionally, providing millipedes with large pieces of bark or cork gives them ample places to hide while keeping the substrate remained moist.
Finally, it’s important to provide millipedes with cuttlebone chunks as a source of calcium, as it is an essential element in molting. Calcium carbonate tablets or powder can also be used to provide this essential mineral.
With the correct environment and nutrition, millipedes should stay healthy and happy for a long time.
Are millipedes easy to take care of?
Yes, millipedes are generally easy to take care of. They are fairly low-maintenance pets that require a habitat with a few key features to stay healthy and happy. Millipedes should be provided with a moist shelter, such as a terrarium or aquarium, with an adequate supply of substrate such as potting soil, moss, or decayed leaves.
A temperature of around 75°F and high humidity levels (around 75%) should also be maintained. Additionally, they should be provided with a shallow water dish that can be refilled on a weekly basis. Like many other insects and spiders, millipedes should be fed a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as occasional protein sources such as cooked egg and mealworms.
However, since the diet of millipedes is varied, it is important to research the species-specific dietary needs of the particular kind of millipede you have. If taken care of properly, millipedes can make great pets and can even live up to several years in captivity.
What is the lifespan of a millipede?
The lifespan of a millipede depends on the species. Most millipedes live from two to five years, although some species may live up to 10 years. Environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, also play a role in determining the lifespan of an individual millipede.
Millipedes typically become sexually mature after 6 to 12 months and start producing offspring. The females typically lay about 20 to 30 eggs at a time, which take about one to two months to hatch. After hatching, the young millipedes molt several times to reach adulthood.
Generally, millipedes exhibit much greater longevity than other small invertebrates and may grow to be as long as 4 or 5 inches in length.
Are millipedes friendly?
Millipedes are not considered to be particularly friendly, but they are not known to be dangerous to humans. Millipedes are generally harmless and non-aggressive, but they can be quite nervous if disturbed.
Millipedes do not bite, sting or spread any diseases, but they can secrete a fluid which may cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people. They are not known to seek out human contact and would much prefer to seek shelter or find food in safe places.
Are millipedes good for the house?
Millipedes can be beneficial for households in several ways. Firstly, they feed on decaying organic matter, thus playing an important role in the natural process of decomposition. This can help to create a healthy and balanced environment in your house.
Additionally, millipedes otherwise don’t cause harm to humans and instead will generally hide away in dark, moist places, like underneath leaves and rocks. Thus, they rarely become visible. While they generally don’t cause any substantial destruction, they may damage growing plants and vegetables since they eat their roots and stems.
Therefore, it’s important to carefully monitor your garden and keep them away if necessary.
Do pet millipedes smell?
Yes, pet millipedes typically do have an odor. Although the smell of pet millipedes can vary depending on the species, they typically have an earthy smell and sometimes even a musty smell that is described as similar to rotten leaves.
This smell is usually more prominent when the millipede is handled, handled too much, or otherwise disturbed. Although this smell is not necessarily unpleasant, it can be for some pet owners. To reduce this smell, it is best to keep the millipede’s enclosure clean, provide appropriate humidity, offer a varied diet, and not handle the millipede too often or too much.
Additionally, some millipede species may be less smelly than others due to their natural odor, so if this is a concern for an owner, they may want to research different species to determine which is best for them.
What do I need for a millipede?
If you’re looking to keep a millipede as a pet, you will need to make sure you have the right environment and supplies for them. Millipedes require a moist and humid terrarium, so it is important to provide plenty of ventilation and good drainage for your pet.
You will also need to choose the substrate wisely, and the substrate should be something that is safe for millipedes, such as organic potting soil, coconut coir, sphagnum moss, or tree fern. Make sure that the substrate is kept moist, but not soggy, in order to keep your millipede healthy.
You will also need to provide the millipede with places to hide, such as plants or pieces of bark or hidey-holes that can be fashioned from things like coconut shells or half logs. Millipedes also require a bowl of food and water, so it is important to consider the type of food and water that is appropriate for millipedes.
A good rule of thumb is to provide a variety of food items such as leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, as well as some commercially available millipede food. It is also important to provide a shallow bowl of water with a sponge or piece of cotton wool to help your millipede to keep itself hydrated.
Finally, it is important to make sure that your pet millipede is receiving enough calcium in its diet, so it may be a good idea to provide a supplement such as calcium powder. By taking the time to provide your pet millipede with the proper environment and supplies, you can ensure that it remains healthy and happy in your care.
Can millipedes survive in the cold?
Yes, millipedes can survive in the cold. They usually hibernate in the winter in order to escape the cold temperatures. Millipedes slow down their metabolism, rely on stored carbohydrates, and go into a state of dormancy.
During this time, they will remain underground, in fallen tree logs, or in the bark of trees. Millipedes have been known to survive temperatures as cold as -5°C (23°F). However, they can become inactive, so their movement might be slower than usual and they may be less active.
Additionally, they rely on a moist environment as well, so not only will the temperature affect them, but the moisture content of their environment as well. They need to stay moist and not be exposed to overly-dry temperatures, which could kill them.
What fruit and vegetables can millipedes eat?
Millipedes are primarily herbivores and typically feed on decaying organic matter such as leaf litter, mulch, and rotting vegetation. As such, millipedes can benefit your garden by consuming decaying plant matter which can ultimately help promote healthier plant growth.
In terms of fruit and vegetables that they can consume, millipedes are known to eat ripe fruits, leafy vegetables, and flower petals. Examples of fruits and vegetables that you can offer to your millipede include carrots, apples, squash, potatoes, celery, cucumbers, dark leafy greens (such as collards, kale, and dandelion greens), and more.
When offering these items to your millipede, it’s important to make sure that the items are cut into small, thin pieces and that the pieces are soft enough for the millipede to consume. Additionally, you may choose to lightly cook vegetables like carrots or squash to further soften them for digestion.
