Spike-Tail Millipede

Thyropygus allevatus

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

One of the giants of the hobby — a long, spike-tailed Thai millipede that can approach a foot in length. Wants a humid (70-90%), well-ventilated terrarium at room temperature (70-82°F) with deep, moisture-holding substrate topped by oak leaf litter and rotten hardwood, which forms the bulk of its diet. Substrate should be at least a couple of body-lengths deep for burrowing and molting. Offer occasional veg and a calcium source (cuttlebone). A docile, slow detritivore; wash hands after handling as with any millipede.

Taxonomy

FamilyHarpagophoridae

GenusThyropygus

Native regionSoutheast Asia (Thailand)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile, harmless detritivore

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to ~9-12 in (230-300 mm)

Length200.00–300.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature70–82 °F

Humidity70–90%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratedeep coco/soil + oak leaf litter & rotten hardwood; keep humid; add calcium

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