Vietnamese Rainbow Millipede

Tonkinbolus dollfusi

MillipedeintermediateHarmlessCommunal 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 beautiful millipede ringed in red, black, and yellow 'rainbow' bands. A touch more demanding than the African giants: it dislikes temperature swings (keep a steady 72-77°F) and wants high humidity (70-90%) over deep (7-10 cm) soil-based substrate with leaf litter and rotting wood. Docile and not prone to heavy defensive secretion. Detritivore — substrate is most of its diet, plus a calcium source. Harmless; wash hands after handling.

Taxonomy

FamilyPachybolidae

GenusTonkinbolus

Native regionVietnam, Southeast Asia

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile; moves off quickly when touched

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to 4 inches (10 cm)

Length80.00–100.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature72–77 °F

Humidity70–90%

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