A whopping 12,000 species of millipedes exist worldwide, but only a handful make perfect pets. As my favorite classroom pet during my teaching years, I’ve watched even the most squeamish students fall in love with these fascinating multi-legged friends. They’re basically the labrador retrievers of the invertebrate world – gentle, easy-going, and surprisingly entertaining!
Think of your millipede’s enclosure as a tiny slice of rainforest floor. They need:
| Essential Element | Purpose | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
|
Deep Substrate |
Burrowing |
Monthly change |
|
Bark Pieces |
Hiding spots |
Replace when moldy |
|
Leaf Litter |
Food source |
Add weekly |
|
Moisture |
Survival |
Daily misting |
These little recyclers aren’t picky! They’ll happily munch on:
Some millipedes go absolutely crazy for overripe banana – it’s like their version of pizza!
A healthy millipede is an active millipede. Watch for:
Remember, stressed millipedes may curl into a tight spiral – it’s their way of saying “I need a minute!”
Ready to welcome one of these gentle giants into your home? Start with one millipede and the right setup – you might be surprised how entertaining a creature with hundreds of legs can be!
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