Chinese Millipede

Spirobolus bungii

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 hardy Chinese millipede from cooler mountainous country, so keep it on the cool side (below ~70°F) — it does poorly when too warm. Otherwise standard detritivore care: moist substrate with leaf litter and rotten wood, plus fresh fruit/veg (it favors cucumber, melon, and banana) and cuttlebone for calcium. Readily kept, though consistent captive breeding can be tricky.

Taxonomy

FamilySpirobolidae

GenusSpirobolus

Native regionChina (cooler montane regions)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile, harmless detritivore

Size & growth

Adult size3-4 inches

Body length2.76–3.94 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

Temperature60–70°F

Humidity65–80%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratemoist coco/soil + leaf litter & rotten wood; keep cool (<70°F); add calcium

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