What Do Bumblebee Millipedes Look Like?
Bumblebee Millipedes can reach up to 10cm long and have a striking yellow, black, and brown coloration.
They have smooth, oval-shaped segmented bodies and can have up to 8 legs per segment.
They also have two long antennae and two short ones, which they use to explore and sense their environment.
A pair of forceps-like mandibles are used to grab and cut their food.
The underside of their body has two respiratory openings, or spiracles, that they use to breathe.
Benefits Of Using Bumblebee Millipedes
Anadenobolus monilicornis make great additions to vivariums thanks to their distinct look, peaceful nature, and ease of care.
With their large size and striking banding patterns, they make an eye-catching addition to any enclosure.
The Bumblebee Millipedes are also highly beneficial to tanks as they eat decaying plant matter, clearing out any potentially harmful bacteria and fungus.
They are excellent scavengers and are incredibly efficient at keeping the habitat clean, further enriching the miniature ecosystem.
Bumblebee Millipede Facts
Anadenobolus monilicornis are native to the US and are popular pets due to their colorful and unique appearance.
They feed on dead organic matter in the wild, and in captivity enjoy a diet of fruit, vegetables, and decaying leaves.
Additionally, their nocturnal behavior helps them blend into their surroundings since most of the time they are tucked away in the substrate.
Breeding is possible but challenging and requires a moist and humid environment with consistent temperatures.
Habitat
Bumblebee Millipedes are native to South American rainforests, where they spend most of their lives tucked away in the damp, leafy undergrowth of the dense, humid forests.
They eventually become naturalized in southern parts of the United States and can be commonly found in tropical regions today.
They thrive in areas near water sources and areas protected from excessive sun exposure.
Anadenobolus monilicornis spends most of its life under the leaf litter or logs in the forest.
This habitat provides not just a cool, damp location but also a safe home where predators cannot hunt them easily.
Replicate their natural habitat perfectly with our Bioactive Millipede Substrate Blend, designed to provide the ideal moisture and organic content for your millipedes.
Diet
In their natural habitat, Bumblebee Millipedes feed on a range of decaying plant materials.
They are considered scavengers and will search for food during the night.
As for what plants they prefer to feed on, the answer varies depending on their location.
However, it usually consists of decaying leaf litter, rotten wood, and fruits such as mangos, guava, and bananas.
These millipedes also eat fungi, mushrooms, fungi, and bacteria. They don’t care for fresh or healthy foliage, however.
Temperament
Bumblebee Millipedes are generally not aggressive and are fairly timid towards humans and other animals.
These millipedes may curl up into a tight ball when threatened or startled, and may even secrete unpleasant-smelling substances to ward off potential predators.
While many pet owners handle these millipedes, it’s generally not recommended as these arthropods can be quite fragile and easily injured due to their soft exoskeletons.
Anadenobolus monilicornis are not particularly social, preferring to live and feed alone.
However, when kept in small groups, they may be able to coexist peacefully.
It’s important to note that Bumblebee Millipedes housed together should always have a safe place to hide in case of any possible squabbles.
It’s also a good idea to give them plenty of space to prevent any issues due to overcrowding.
Lifespan
Anadenobolus monilicornis have an average lifespan of 3-5 years, although some can live up to 7 years.
These colorful arthropods typically begin their life as eggs, laid by the female in a burrow or protected area.
The eggs hatch into larvae, which look similar to adults but are smaller in size.
They shed and molt their exoskeletons several times, each time growing larger and closer in size to adults.
The process from egg to adult takes 6 to 12 months depending on environmental conditions and food availability.
Once adults, Bumblebee Millipedes typically spend their time foraging for food and searching for mates.
Breeding
Bumblebee Millipedes mate in a unique way.
When they mate, they typically form a wheel-like wheel structure in which they line up in a circle, and a male and a female connector to reproduce.
They will typically remain in this wheel-like structure for several minutes while they exchange sperm.
Once mating is complete, the female will lay eggs in moist soil.
The eggs will typically hatch in two to three weeks and the young millipedes will look much like adults, just smaller in size.
Where To Find Bumblebee Millipedes
Finding Bumblebee Millipedes in the wild can be challenging, as these arthropods are rarely seen outside their native range.
However, it is possible to find Anadenobolus monilicornis for sale from licensed exotic pet dealers or online pet websites.
When searching for these millipedes, it’s important to look for an individual with a healthy, glossy exoskeleton and no visible wounds.
Past that, make sure to find a pet store or breeder that takes proper care of their animals and provides a healthy and clean environment.
