African Giant Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)
Millipede
$94.99
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Spice 1 · Kid Friendly
How the Spice System works
Kid friendly
Lower-risk animals a child can help care for, with an adult in charge. For watching, not handling.
CB: Captive bred
Bred and hatched in captivity, not collected from the wild.
Big Z's notes
About this Fella
Pink Dragon Millipede for sale from Big Z's (Desmoxytes planata). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Desmoxytes planata (Pink Dragon Millipede)
Pink keels on a dark body: this is the real Pink Dragon. Every segment flares into a pink, wing-shaped keel, so the whole animal looks armored and outlined, like a tiny dragon working through the leaf litter. These are captive-bred and go out at 0.5 to 1 inch; adults top out around an inch, so a small planted tub makes a full display. They do well in a group with enough space and food. No bite, no sting, and easy to feed on leaves and rotting wood. A look-don't-handle display: like other dragon millipedes, it releases a cyanide-based defensive secretion when bothered.
Why do hobbyists keep Desmoxytes planata?
- The Pink: pink keels on every segment against a dark body. It looks unreal in person.
- Captive-Bred: raised in captivity, sent out at 0.5 to 1 inch.
- Small Footprint: about an inch as adults, so a small tub makes a full display.
- Group Living: keep a group together with enough space and food.
- Easy Diet: decomposed leaves and soft rotten wood do most of the work.
How should Desmoxytes planata be kept?
- Adult Size: about 1 inch long (up to about 3 cm).
- Enclosure: a ventilated tub with deep leafy humus and soft rotten hardwood, and a secure lid with small openings. Small juveniles need escape-resistant vents.
- Temperature: 72 to 82 degrees F. Skip extra heat if your room is already warm.
- Humidity: 70 to 85 percent. A damp lower layer, never dripping.
- Water: damp litter and lower substrate.
- Diet: decomposed leaves and soft rotten wood at all times, plus small veggie portions.
- Temperament: shy; it curls up when bothered and releases a cyanide-based defensive secretion. Keep handling to a minimum, keep it away from eyes and mouth, and wash your hands after any contact.
Anything else to know?
- Not Our Old Pink Dragon: the wild-caught millipedes we sold as Pink Dragons until October 22, 2026 turned out to be Antheromorpha uncinata. They now have their own listing as the Pink Flat-Back Millipede.
- Name Check: the Pink Dragon name also gets used for Desmoxytes purpurosea, the shocking pink dragon, a separate species. These are D. planata.
- Leave Them Buried: one that goes underground is usually molting. Do not dig it up.
- Keep the Pantry Full: never let the edible substrate run out; veggies do not replace it.
- Spice Level 1. One animal, shipped live on FedEx Overnight, Monday to Wednesday. Live Arrival Guarantee on overnight orders.
Full care is in the care guide. It covers enclosure size, temperature, humidity, feeding, molting signs and handling limits for this species. Read the Advanced guide, or the shorter Simple guide →
- Lane
- Spice 1 · Kid Friendly
- Source
- CB: captive-bred.
Pink Dragon Millipede (Desmoxytes planata)
Millipede
Keeper feedback
$12.990.5-1" (Mixed Sizes) CB selected
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At a glance
The quick read on this fella
- Adult size
- About 1 in
- Up to about 3 cm
- Venom
- Cyanide-based defensive secretion
- Keep from eyes and mouth
- Type
- Terrestrial
- Ground dweller
- Climate
- 72-82°F · 70-85%
- Damp lower layer, never dripping
- Feeding
- Decomposed leaves
- Soft rotten wood always, small veg portions
- Lifespan
- About 2+ yrs
From our Pink Dragon Millipede care guide. Read the full guide
Live animals ship Mon to Wed
FedEx Standard Overnight $44.99 or Priority Overnight $49.99, both with the Live Arrival Guarantee; free overnight on orders $499.99 and up. FedEx 2Day $34.99 has no guarantee and needs a signed waiver. Pickup in the Phoenix area or at an expo is free (arrange with Big Z first). Weather holds are free and we message you first.
Live arrival support
Every order is packed for that week’s weather. Not sure if Pink Dragon Millipede is your spice level? Message us and we’ll talk it through.
Big Z's here to help
Not sure if Pink Dragon Millipede is your spice level? Message us and we’ll talk it through.
Care guide Shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee
About this Fella Big Z's notes
Pink Dragon Millipede for sale from Big Z's (Desmoxytes planata). Comes with a Spice rating and a care guide, and ships packed for the weather.
Desmoxytes planata (Pink Dragon Millipede)
Pink keels on a dark body: this is the real Pink Dragon. Every segment flares into a pink, wing-shaped keel, so the whole animal looks armored and outlined, like a tiny dragon working through the leaf litter. These are captive-bred and go out at 0.5 to 1 inch; adults top out around an inch, so a small planted tub makes a full display. They do well in a group with enough space and food. No bite, no sting, and easy to feed on leaves and rotting wood. A look-don't-handle display: like other dragon millipedes, it releases a cyanide-based defensive secretion when bothered.
Why do hobbyists keep Desmoxytes planata?
- The Pink: pink keels on every segment against a dark body. It looks unreal in person.
- Captive-Bred: raised in captivity, sent out at 0.5 to 1 inch.
- Small Footprint: about an inch as adults, so a small tub makes a full display.
- Group Living: keep a group together with enough space and food.
- Easy Diet: decomposed leaves and soft rotten wood do most of the work.
How should Desmoxytes planata be kept?
- Adult Size: about 1 inch long (up to about 3 cm).
- Enclosure: a ventilated tub with deep leafy humus and soft rotten hardwood, and a secure lid with small openings. Small juveniles need escape-resistant vents.
- Temperature: 72 to 82 degrees F. Skip extra heat if your room is already warm.
- Humidity: 70 to 85 percent. A damp lower layer, never dripping.
- Water: damp litter and lower substrate.
- Diet: decomposed leaves and soft rotten wood at all times, plus small veggie portions.
- Temperament: shy; it curls up when bothered and releases a cyanide-based defensive secretion. Keep handling to a minimum, keep it away from eyes and mouth, and wash your hands after any contact.
Anything else to know?
- Not Our Old Pink Dragon: the wild-caught millipedes we sold as Pink Dragons until October 22, 2026 turned out to be Antheromorpha uncinata. They now have their own listing as the Pink Flat-Back Millipede.
- Name Check: the Pink Dragon name also gets used for Desmoxytes purpurosea, the shocking pink dragon, a separate species. These are D. planata.
- Leave Them Buried: one that goes underground is usually molting. Do not dig it up.
- Keep the Pantry Full: never let the edible substrate run out; veggies do not replace it.
- Spice Level 1. One animal, shipped live on FedEx Overnight, Monday to Wednesday. Live Arrival Guarantee on overnight orders.
Full care is in the care guide. It covers enclosure size, temperature, humidity, feeding, molting signs and handling limits for this species. Read the Advanced guide, or the shorter Simple guide →
- Lane
- Spice 1 · Kid Friendly
- Source
- CB: captive-bred.
What ships with this order Care + shipping
- A free care guide for this species
- A heat or cold pack when the forecast calls for it
- Tracking and an arrival window before it ships
- Message Big Z about your animal for as long as you keep it
Care guideSpice 1 · Kid Friendly
Matched care guide
View in Care Guides library
Pink Dragon Millipede
Desmoxytes planata · Spice 1: Kid Friendly. Baby Buddy or Burrow Buddy: small animals or groups, only while it holds enough edible depth and floor space. Deep custom enclosure: when animal size, group size or food substrate outgrows a Buddy.
Desmoxytes planata
Pink Dragon Millipede
Big Z's Quick Verdict: A pink dragon millipede that needs a moist, food-rich home: humus, decomposed leaves and crumbly rotten hardwood throughout, open ventilation, and fresh material as it gets eaten.
Group: MillipedesDifficulty: Spice 1: Kid FriendlySetup: Ventilated, food-rich humus with rotten woodHandling: Not recommended, transfers over a soft surface
Use This Guide Safely
- Confirm the exact animal. Match this guide to the species, locality, size, and life stage on your label. If the ID is uncertain, use the more conservative part of the range and ask before changing the setup.
- Change one thing at a time. Treat temperature and humidity as target zones, then watch posture, burrowing, drinking, feeding, and molt behavior before making another adjustment.
- Respect the handling boundary. If the guide says no handling, fast, defensive, or medically significant, plan transfers with catch cups, locked lids, and no bare hands. For serious bites, stings, or symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
Quick Care Snapshot
| Temp | 72-82°F, skip heat if already warm |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-85%: damp lower layer, never dripping |
| Setup | Ventilated, food-rich humus with rotten wood |
| Substrate | Deep leafy humus and soft rotten wood, damp below |
| Feeding | Decomposed leaves, soft rotten wood always, small veg portions |
| Handling | Not recommended, transfers over a soft surface |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
Recommended Big Z's Setup
- Baby Buddy or Burrow Buddy: small animals or groups, only while it holds enough edible depth and floor space.
- Deep custom enclosure: when animal size, group size or food substrate outgrows a Buddy.
Critical Notes
- Keep millipedes and their defensive fluids away from eyes and mouth. Wash hands after contact or enclosure work.
- Never dig up a buried millipede just to check if it is alive.
- Do not let the edible substrate run out. Fresh veggies cannot replace decomposed leaves and wood.
- No pesticides, treated wood or contaminated soil.
- Keep handling to a minimum. Move it over a soft surface, and never pull it from cover or force it to uncoil.
- Do not seal the enclosure to chase humidity. Very small animals need escape-resistant vents.
Care Basics
- Set up the edible substrate before the animals come home. A plain display floor is not enough.
- Make the substrate at least as deep as your longest animal is long.
- Keep damp shelter available without soaking the whole enclosure.
- Check the food layer often and replace eaten leaves and wood.
- Use a secure ventilated lid, with escape-resistant openings for very small animals.
- Leave buried animals and possible molt chambers alone.
- Remove spoiled extra food, but leave healthy occupied substrate in place.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Use well-decomposed hardwood leaves and wood soft enough to crumble. A fresh decorative branch is not feeding wood.
- Watch for real feeding and fine droppings building up. Top up food before the substrate is mostly droppings.
- Offer only small extra portions and remove any that spoil. A dish of fresh fruit is not a complete diet.
- Keep buried areas stable during molts. Do not dig to feed or to move an animal that has stopped surfacing.
Current Big Z's catalog: Yes
Desmoxytes planata
Pink Dragon Millipede: Advanced Care Guide
Keeper Snapshot: A pink dragon millipede that needs a moist, food-rich home: humus, decomposed leaves and crumbly rotten hardwood throughout, open ventilation, and fresh material as it gets eaten.
Group: MillipedesDifficulty: Spice 1: Kid FriendlySetup: Ventilated, food-rich humus with rotten woodHandling: Not recommended, transfers over a soft surface
Use This Guide Safely
- Confirm the exact animal. Match this guide to the species, locality, size, and life stage on your label. If the ID is uncertain, use the more conservative part of the range and ask before changing the setup.
- Change one thing at a time. Treat temperature and humidity as target zones, then watch posture, burrowing, drinking, feeding, and molt behavior before making another adjustment.
- Respect the handling boundary. If the guide says no handling, fast, defensive, or medically significant, plan transfers with catch cups, locked lids, and no bare hands. For serious bites, stings, or symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
Quick Snapshot
| Temperature | 72-82°F, skip heat if already warm |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 70-85%: damp lower layer, never dripping |
| Setup Type | Ventilated, food-rich humus with rotten wood |
| Substrate | Deep leafy humus and soft rotten wood, damp below |
| Feeding | Decomposed leaves, soft rotten wood always, small veg portions |
| Care Difficulty | Spice 1: Kid Friendly |
| Handling | Not recommended, transfers over a soft surface |
Humidity zones: Very Low under 30% - Low 30-60% - Low-Moderate 40-70% - Moderate 60-80% - Moderate-High 70-85% - High 80%+ - Very High 90%+
Enclosure Format / Size Class
- Small animals: Baby Buddy or Burrow Buddy while it holds enough edible depth, floor space and moisture
- Larger animals: deep custom enclosure once a Buddy cannot give body-length substrate depth and floor space
- Mixed-size groups: food and cover the smallest can reach, space for the largest. No set count fits every box
Warnings First
- Keep millipedes and their defensive fluids away from eyes and mouth. Wash hands after contact or enclosure work.
- Never dig up a buried millipede just to check if it is alive.
- Do not let the edible substrate run out. Fresh veggies cannot replace decomposed leaves and wood.
- No pesticides, treated wood or contaminated soil.
- Keep handling to a minimum. Move it over a soft surface, and never pull it from cover or force it to uncoil.
- Do not seal the enclosure to chase humidity. Very small animals need escape-resistant vents.
Simple Care
- Set up the edible substrate before the animals come home. A plain display floor is not enough.
- Make the substrate at least as deep as your longest animal is long.
- Keep damp shelter available without soaking the whole enclosure.
- Check the food layer often and replace eaten leaves and wood.
- Use a secure ventilated lid, with escape-resistant openings for very small animals.
- Leave buried animals and possible molt chambers alone.
- Remove spoiled extra food, but leave healthy occupied substrate in place.
Advanced Keeper Notes
Enclosure & Microclimate
- Every animal should move under cover and reach food without crowding. For bigger millipedes, plan a floor at least two body lengths long and one wide, more for groups.
- Use light cork or leaf cover that will not collapse on a burrowing animal. Keep a damp sheltered area with air exchange above the food layer.
- Moisture belongs below the surface, not pooled. Add water slowly to an empty section and recheck instead of soaking the whole bed.
- Refresh substrate in sections and add fresh food material as needed. Leave occupied areas, eggs and tiny young in place.
Feeding, Growth & Maintenance
- Use well-decomposed hardwood leaves and wood soft enough to crumble. A fresh decorative branch is not feeding wood.
- Watch for real feeding and fine droppings building up. Top up food before the substrate is mostly droppings.
- Offer only small extra portions and remove any that spoil. A dish of fresh fruit is not a complete diet.
- Keep buried areas stable during molts. Do not dig to feed or to move an animal that has stopped surfacing.
Possible Origin / Range
- Likely native range: Probably native to Thailand or Myanmar, spread by people to other tropical areas. Found in humid, often human-influenced places.
- Habitat translation: Humid, often human-influenced places become moist edible litter and sheltered cover with ventilation, not a sealed wet box.
Advanced Keeper Details
- Note which leaves and woods get eaten and keep a steady supply.
- The Pink Dragon name also gets used for D. purpurosea, a separate species. Care here is for D. planata.
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