Shocking Pink Dragon Millipede
Desmoxytes purpurosea
No venom, no sting
Millipedes don't bite or sting and have no venom. Many do secrete defensive chemicals when stressed, so wash your hands after handling and keep them away from your eyes and mouth.
Secretes hydrogen cyanide
Releases small amounts of hydrogen cyanide when stressed. Harmless in an open room and in the quantities involved, but handle in ventilated space, never in a closed container held to your face, and wash your hands afterwards.
About
A vivid, spiny pink millipede from Thai limestone caves — one of the most striking inverts in the hobby. It wants a humid (70-90%), well-ventilated, planted terrarium with moist substrate, decaying wood, and leaf litter at 70-80°F, kept in small groups. Like other flat-backed millipedes it produces hydrogen cyanide (almond smell) in defense, so don't handle it. Shorter-lived than the giants (2-3 years).
Taxonomy
Size & growth
Millipedes molt underground in a small chamber and can stay buried for weeks. If yours has disappeared into the substrate, leave it be — digging it up mid-molt can kill it.
Climate
Enclosure
Feeding
Times kept: 0