Florida Ivory Millipede

Chicobolus spinigerus

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

An easy native beginner millipede. Detritivore — most of its diet IS the substrate, so give deep (4-6in) moist decaying hardwood leaf litter and rotting wood, plus a calcium source for the exoskeleton. Keep the substrate moist at the bottom, surface slightly drier; 70-80% humidity. Harmless, though like many millipedes it can secrete a defensive fluid — wash hands after handling.

Taxonomy

FamilySpirobolidae

GenusChicobolus

Native regionSoutheastern USA (Florida)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile

Size & growth

Adult size3-4 inches

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

Temperature70–80°F

Humidity70–80%

Enclosure

Adult size12x8x8 inches

Substratedecaying hardwood leaf litter + coco coir + sphagnum; add calcium (cuttlebone)

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishOptional

Moisture gradientRequired — keep one end damp, one end dry

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

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

Supplemental calciumRequired — cuttlebone or a calcium powder

Times kept: 1