White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)

What Do White-legged Snake Millipedes Look Like?

White-legged Snake Millipedes can reach up to 60mm in length and are a dark brown or black color.

They have a cylindrical body comprised of numerous segments, each featuring around 30 to 35 pairs of legs.

Tachypodoiulus niger also has white legs and a dark-colored head. In bright light, they will exhibit a beautiful iridescent green sheen. 

White-legged Snake Millipedes have antennae that are twice as long as their head, used mostly for sensation and recognizing nearby food sources.

Additionally, their underside is covered with very short, bristly hairs which helps them sense their surroundings.

Benefits Of Using White-legged Snake Millipedes

Using White-legged Snake Millipedes in vivariums can be a great choice for self-sustaining setups.

Aside from providing a great visual element, these millipedes can help keep tanks clean and aerated by breaking down organic matter as they move.

They can also aid in controlling disease-causing bacteria and fungi.

Additionally, these millipedes will generally only consume small amounts of the other organisms in their enclosure.

This makes them an unlikely source of additional food competition.

Finally, they are an interesting species to observe, as they are known to be active at night and can move faster than other millipede species.

White-legged Snake Millipede Facts

White-legged Snake Millipedes are small herbivorous millipedes native to surrounding areas around Europe.

Their average life span is approximately 9 years and they are usually quite docile, making them great beginner pets.

They also have several defensive features from predators such as a series of glands on their underside that will release a smelly liquid as a defense mechanism.

Habitat

Tachypodoiulus niger, also known as black millipedes, are a species of millipede found mainly in continental Europe.

The millipedes are native to many European countries, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

They can be found in all types of limestone-rich habitats including woodland, grass, and gardens.

In the wild, they like to hide away in damp, dark places such as rotting wood, leaf piles, and under stones.

They are a largely arboreal species that can be found foraging in trees for food.

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 environment, White-legged Snake Millipedes feed primarily on decaying organic matter, including dead leaves, bark, and other small insects.

They tend to look for food near the base of trees or in leaf litter on the forest floor to avoid predators.

This species is particularly fond of fungi, which may consume more than most other species of millipede.

These millipedes are also capable of eating fresh vegetable matter, such as carrots and potatoes, and also enjoy small pieces of fresh fruit, like apples and pears.

Temperament

Tachypodoiulus niger is commonly regarded as a beginner-friendly species, as their mild temperament usually makes them calming and pleasant to interact with.

They are unlikely to bite but can curl up their body as a defensive mechanism if they feel threatened.

White-legged Snake Millipedes also don’t tend to do well around other animals such as cats and dogs, and it is advised to separate them from such types of pets.

With regards to human interaction, Tachypodoiulus niger is relatively calm but will generally try to escape if you handle them, so it is best to let them explore their environment on their own.

Lifespan

White-legged Snake Millipedes, also known as Tachypodoiulus niger, usually live for many years, though some individuals can reach up to nine.

During its lifespan, Tachypodoiulus niger goes through a life cycle of molting, reproduction, and death.

After hatching, adult males and females will molt 4-6 times in their first year, and fewer times in their remaining years. 

Reproduction takes place in June. A female White-legged Snake Millipede will lay her eggs in her burrow, and they will hatch around one month later.

Finally, when Tachypodoiulus niger reaches the end of its life cycle, it will often take refuge in a shallow burrow and die soon after.

Breeding

Mating and reproduction in White-legged Snake Millipedes begin with courtship.

This usually begins with a female and a male millipede roaming around together before finally settling in an area to mate.

The male will then position himself on top of the female and wrap his legs around her before transferring spermatophores from his terminal body segment to the female.

If successful, the female will then lay eggs in the soil, which will take several weeks to hatch.

Lastly, it’s highly recommended to isolate breeding pairs of adult millipedes to avoid any kind of aggressive behavior between the sexes.

Where To Find White-legged Snake Millipedes

White-legged Snake Millipedes can be found in much of continental Europe – from Ireland in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east.

They inhabit both deciduous and coniferous woodlands, as well as many parks, gardens, and even suburban yards.

They are usually found in and around decaying logs and leaf litter. 

Tachypodoiulus niger can be purchased from pet stores and online.

I always recommended purchasing from a reputable breeder who can guarantee the health and well-being of their animals.