Yellow-Spotted Millipede
Harpaphe haydeniana
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 hydrogen cyanide
Releases small amounts of hydrogen cyanide when stressed. Harmless in an open room and in the quantities involved, but handle in ventilated space, never in a closed container held to your face, and wash your hands afterwards.
About
A flat-backed Pacific-coast millipede — black with contrasting yellow-tipped keels that advertise its chemical defense. Like other polydesmids it exudes hydrogen cyanide when threatened (a strong almond scent); harmless to humans in the tiny amounts produced but it can irritate eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid handling and don't keep it sealed airtight. A cool-forest species: 55-70°F, high humidity, and a substrate that is almost entirely rotting wood, which it breeds well in. Northern-Californian stock tends to do better in captivity than the Washington subspecies. Docile detritivore.
Taxonomy
Size & growth
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
Enclosure
Feeding
Times kept: 0