Our Top 5 Favourite Pet Millipedes

Millipedes are gaining popularity in the exotic pet world, and it’s easy to see why. These gentle, slow-moving invertebrates are low-maintenance and fascinating to watch. Millipedes are also not aggressive and spend their time calmly exploring their environment, burrowing, and feeding. For beginners and experienced hobbyists alike, they offer a rewarding and unique pet-keeping experience.

The Basics of Keeping Millipedes as Pets

• Humidity: All millipedes require humidity. You can easily provide this sphagnum moss, which is excellent at absorbing and holding moisture. You can keep most of the moss at one end and disperse some throughout the habitat. Regular misting also ensures your millipedes have the moisture they need.

• Deep Substrate: Millipedes like to burrow, especially when moulting. This makes it important that they have a deep substrate to dig. You might sometimes not see your millipedes for long periods, but they’re probably chilling cosily underground.

• Nutritious Substrate: As far as millipedes are concerned, substrate is not only for burrowing, but also for eating. They gladly ingest the soil around them, extracting nutrients as they go. As such, it’s a good idea to ensure they have soil that is packed with nutrients. Including Flake Soil is a great choice in this regard and is necessary for many millipede species.

• Rotting Wood and Leaves: As detritivores, millipedes dine out on decaying organic matter. This includes decomposing wood and leaves. This is advantageous because not only are these ingredients easy to find, but they also help maintain a natural aesthetic to your millipedes’ habitat.

• Fresh Fruit and Veg: Millipedes love fresh cucumber and a wide range of other fruits and vegetables. Adding fresh fruit and veg ensures millipedes have all the vitamins and nutrients they need, keeping them healthy and thriving.

• Calcium Source: Millipedes have an exoskeleton, and they need plenty of calcium to keep that exoskeleton in good condition. Good sources of calcium include cuttlefish bone (whole or crushed) and egg shells. Some substrate mixes also come with added calcium.

• Springtails: As always, springtails make a great addition to a humid environment. They will consume any mould that develops and generally help to keep the habitat clean. Springtails are also harmless and will not escape to become pests in your home

Important note

• DO NOT USE COCO PEAT: Coco Peat is a useful resource in the exotic pet world. The substrate has excellent absorption properties and helps tunnels keep their shape without collapsing. However, coco peat contains no nutritional value. Even worse for millipedes is that they lack the enzymes needed to break down tough coco peat fibres, which they don’t filter from substrate as they feed. These fibres can collect in the digestive system, causing compaction and, ultimately, death. As such, it’s best to use substrate mixes that use no coco peat at all.

Without any further ado, here are five of the most popular and millipede species among our clients.

1. Thai Rainbow Millipede (Tonkinbolus caudulanus)

Known for its stunning iridescent colouration, this species displays shades of blue, purple, and even pink under the right lighting conditions. Despite its delicate appearance, it is relatively easy to care for when its environmental needs are met.

Rainbow Millipede

This millipede species thrives in warm, humid conditions similar to its natural habitat and requires a well-maintained substrate rich in decomposing plant matter. The Rainbow Millipede is more secretive than others, spending much of its time burrowed beneath the surface. However, when it does emerge, its colours make it a true showpiece.

2. Flat-backed Millipedes (Antheromorpha uncinata)

Flat-backed millipedes bring something completely different to the table. Unlike the typical cylindrical shape of most millipedes, this species has a flattened body with extended lateral segments, giving it a more “armoured” and segmented appearance.

Flat-Backed Millipede

Antheromorpha uncinata is commonly found in Southeast Asia and is especially appreciated for its unique shape and patterns. This species also comes in a range of stunning deep reds, bright pinks and oranges, making it an excellent choice for displays.

These millipedes are generally more active and are often seen exploring the surface, making them a great choice for keepers who want a highly visible species.

3. Brown Armoured Millipede (Polydesmus sp.)

Armoured millipedes are unique and instantly recognisable. This species may not be as colourful as other options, but its prehistoric appearance makes it a popular choice. Their tough armour also makes them less prone to injury, which can be particularly useful for beginners and young collectors.

Brown Armoured Millipede

Armoured millipedes are not typically an active species – often preferring to remain hidden or buried below the earth. However, they are still fascinating to watch when they take part in activities like feeding.

4. Asian Giant Millipede (Thyropygus spirobolinae)

The Asian Giant Millipede is a favourite due to its size and availability. It has a thick, powerful body which is usually dark brown or black, while it can also be found in varying shades of red.

This millipede's impressive size (up to 30cm) makes it appealing to many collectors. Despite its large size, Thyropygus remains just as gentle as any other millipede species.

Asian Giant Millipede

5. Asian Pointy-Tailed Millipede (Thyropygus sp.)

The Asian Pointy-Tailed Millipede is known for its distinctive tail-like extension. This pointed feature gives it a more aggressive look, but like most millipedes, it is harmless and relaxed.

They are typically dark in colour with subtle earthy tones, and can grow quite large (up to about 26cm). These millipedes are active, often seen exploring the surface, especially at night.

Siamese Pointy-Tailed Millipede

Summary

Millipedes are some of the most underrated pets in the invertebrate world. Whether you’re drawn to the shimmering colours of the Rainbow Millipede, the sheer size of the giants, or the unusual body shapes of flat-backed and armoured species, there’s no shortage of fascinating options.

If you are interested in keeping millipedes and would like to know more about them, get in touch with the team at Home Jungles. We look forward to hearing from you and will be happy to help however we can.