What Do Giant African Millipedes Look Like?
Giant African Millipedes are large invertebrates that can reach over 13 inches in length.
They have a shiny black exoskeleton that is made up of plates, with ridges and bumps along the entire body.
These millipedes are thought to possess the longest brownish-orange legs compared to any other species of millipede.
These creatures have two sets of antennae coming out of their head, with each antennae having up to 400 segments.
They also have up to 100 body segments. Each segment contains two pairs of legs and the larger segments have three pairs.
The first pair of legs is situated near the head and is used for sensing.
Archispirostreptus gigas also has two prominent compound eyes.
Benefits Of Using Giant African Millipedes
Giant African Millipedes are a great addition to almost any type of vivarium due to their unique and rewarding care requirements.
Not only can they be incredibly entertaining to observe, but they will also help to keep your enclosure clean and healthy.
These millipedes can act as natural detritivores, eating organic matter and contributing to the cycling of organic and inorganic materials.
They are also ideal for more tropical terrariums with high humidity requirements, as Archispirostreptus gigas need a bit of extra moisture.
Giant African Millipede Facts
Giant African Millipedes are beautiful, docile invertebrates that naturally thrive on a diet of decaying organic matter such as leaves, fungi, and earthworms.
They are native to the central and western parts of Africa and are known to be a symbol of luck in many African cultures.
Generally, Archispirostreptus gigas is a solitary animal and lives in a sheltered burrow or underground tunnel that they have typically dug or constructed.
They come out to search for food at night or during wetter conditions.
Habitat
Giant African Millipedes are native to tropical forests in sub-Saharan Africa, where they live in well-shaded and moist environments.
They stay underground almost all the time, using their impressive 30-foot-long burrow system to move around or hibernate.
During the night, they will come out to feed on decaying leaves, fruits, and bark.
During the day they retreat down their burrows to avoid predators and the heat of the sun.
These millipedes are typically found in the rain plains of southeastern Africa, from the Congo basin to Mozambique.
Because of their nocturnal behavior, they are usually spotted in the early morning or evening hours when the sunlight is low.
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 native habitats in West and Central Africa, Archispirostreptus gigas are typically omnivores, with diets that mostly consist of decaying plant and leaf matter.
Some species may also consume dead insects and small amounts of soil.
Temperament
Giant African Millipedes are quite gentle and docile creatures, making them great pets for children or novice millipede keepers.
They are not aggressive or predatory and cannot bite or sting.
When threatened, they will curl up into a tight coil to protect their delicate legs, which may be mistaken for aggression.
Millipedes that encounter strange environments may coil up and rapidly move their legs, which may be seen as aggression.
Giant African Millipedes can live in harmony with other animals and are an excellent addition to any pet terrarium or communal tank.
However, it’s not a good idea to house millipedes with other animals that could potentially attack or consume them.
Lifespan
Archispirostreptus gigas have a fairly long lifespan for invertebrates, typically about six to seven years of age.
In captivity, this can be even longer. With good care, an individual may live up to 10 years.
At sexual maturity, which is usually reached at around one year of age, the Giant African Millipede will begin its life cycle.
Females lay eggs in soil or substrate in the home enclosure.
After hatching, the young millipedes usually feed on leaf litter, decaying organic matter, and fresh fruit to promote growth.
The millipede will continue to molt as it grows, becoming larger.
Breeding
Giant African Millipedes mate similarly to other arthropods and insects, with both male and female performing a courtship ritual before mating.
This involves circling each other and rubbing antennae together, as well as touching and exchanging chemical cues through their antennae.
After mating, Archispirostreptus gigas typically lay their eggs on a substrate close to their burrow and the eggs will hatch within two to three weeks.
Once hatched, young millipedes will molt several times as they grow into adults and reach sexual maturity in 8-12 months.
Where To Find Giant African Millipedes
Giant African Millipedes can be found most easily in East and West Africa, although they can be found in other parts of Africa as well.
Within these regions, they prefer to live in warm, moist conditions, such as deep leaf litter, humus, and rotting wood.
If traveling to Africa isn’t on the “to-do” list anytime soon, these creatures can also be found for sale online or at select pet stores.
When purchasing millipedes online, it is important to research reputable breeders or breeders that specialize in Archispirostreptus gigas care.
It is also important to remember that millipedes are fragile and sensitive to the effects of temperature and humidity.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that they are shipped in the correct conditions to ensure their safety and well-being.
