Smokey Oak Millipede

Narceus gordanus

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.

Secretes benzoquinones

Stains skin brown for several days and stings badly in the eyes or on broken skin. Wash your hands after handling, don't rub your face, and keep it well away from small children.

About

A smooth, smoky-grey giant native to the southeastern US — docile, handleable, and easy for beginners and experienced keepers alike. Keep a well-ventilated but moist (not waterlogged) enclosure at 70-78°F and ~75-80% humidity, with at least 4 inches of coco/sphagnum/leaf-litter substrate for burrowing — which doubles as its food, alongside decaying wood and a calcium source. Harmless; can release a defensive fluid, so wash hands after handling.

Taxonomy

FamilySpirobolidae

GenusNarceus

Native regionSoutheastern USA

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile; handleable

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to 4 inches

Body length2.36–4.72 in

Growth rateslow

Life stagesNo distinct stages

DevelopmentAnamorphic — gains segments with each moult

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

Temperature70–78°F

Humidity75–80%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratecoco fiber + sphagnum + leaf litter & decaying wood (deep); calcium source

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishOptional

Moisture gradientRequired — keep one end damp, one end dry

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

Food & schedulecontinuous — leaf litter, decaying hardwood, veg + calcium

Supplemental calciumRequired — cuttlebone or a calcium powder

Times kept: 0