Tanzanian Red-Legged Millipede

Epibolus pulchripes

MillipedebeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

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.

About

A colourful, active East African millipede — dark-bodied with vivid red legs. Hardy and easy, a great beginner giant: warm (72-82°F), humid (70-80%) substrate of deep soil, leaf mulch, and rotting wood, plus a calcium source. In the wild it burrows deep to aestivate through the dry season. Detritivore. Harmless; can release a mild defensive fluid, so wash hands after handling.

Taxonomy

FamilyPachybolidae

GenusEpibolus

Native regionEast Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile, active

Size & growth

Adult size5-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)

Length120.00–140.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature72–82 °F

Humidity70–80%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratedeep coco/soil + decaying hardwood leaf litter & rotten wood; add calcium (cuttlebone)

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

Prey sizen/a (detritivore)

Adult cadencecontinuous — leaf litter, decaying hardwood, veg + calcium

Times kept: 0