Florida Scrub Millipede

Floridobolus penneri

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 rare, chunky Florida-endemic round-back — critically imperiled in the wild, tied to sandy scrub habitat, so treat captive stock as conservation-sensitive. Unlike the moisture-loving giants, it comes from dry, high-sand soil, so use a sandier substrate and a drier, more ventilated setup (55-75% humidity, 70-85°F) with leaf litter and rotten wood. Research suggests it favors fungi and mushrooms over some plant matter. Slow to mature — patience required. Docile detritivore; wash hands after handling.

Taxonomy

FamilyFloridobolidae

GenusFloridobolus

Native regionFlorida scrub (endemic; critically imperiled)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile, harmless detritivore

Size & growth

Adult size3-3.6 in (75-92 mm)

Length75.00–92.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature70–85 °F

Humidity55–75%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratesandy scrub mix (high sand content) + leaf litter, rotten wood & some fungi/mushroom

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