African Giant Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)

A foot of gentle, ancient, armored calm

The African Giant Black Millipede, Archispirostreptus gigas, is the largest millipede on Earth: a smooth, glossy-black cylinder up to a foot long, rippling along on hundreds of tiny legs in slow hypnotic waves. It comes from the coastal forests of East Africa, where it spends its life quietly recycling fallen leaves and rotting wood.

It is completely harmless and famously docile; its only defense is to curl into a tight coil and seep a mild, almond-scented irritant (just wash your hands). It lives 7-10+ years, can be kept in groups, and basically eats its own substrate: a deep bed of hardwood leaf litter is the whole feeding plan. The most low-stress big invert in the hobby, and a longtime Kidz Zone favorite. The care guide has the bioactive setup.

The numbers live in the care guide. Enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, premolt signs, handling boundaries: it's all in the care guide for this exact fella. Start with the full Advanced guide, or click for the quick Open the Simple version →