artchic528
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 42
Hey there, I am interested in keeping a pair of AGBs ( African Giant Black Millipedes ). I have been for a while. I am gathering the things needed for them and needed to ask a few, well quite a bit more than a few, questions.
What type of substrate can I use? I have heard of using either coco fiber, peat moss, or garden soil. I have a few bricks of Eco Earth brand coco fiber, a huge bale of peat moss and some Scotts Miracle Gro Garden Soil. The coco fiber and peat moss I know are safe, but what of the garden soil? It has plant food granules mixed throughout that worries me. Are the plant food granules a potential hazard to millipedes? Also, do I need to add leaves and wood shavings to it? I can pick up some aspen shavings from Petco when I am there next if need be and use the leaves from the mulch pile out back. There are plenty there. I know that they borrow so I'd need at least a few inches of substrate. Does this mean the substrate needs to constantly be moist for retention when they make their underground tunnels and chambers? Do AGB make chambers and tunnels? I read somewhere that some species of millipede make moulting chambers so this is why I asked.
I plan on getting a couple AGBs from this online store called Sargent Welch. Is that a reputable place? How large are the millipedes that you get? I want to get a male and a female so as to breed them. What are the chances of getting both if I order two? I don't have much more than enough money available for purchasing two, so I need to know my odds. I know how to tell a male from a female but how big does a millipede need to be before its sex can be determined?
As for the setup, I am eventually going to house them in my 29 gallon tank, which has a heating system already set up. Does a temperature of 70-80 degrees and a humidity of 70-80 percent sound okay? Is it okay to keep them in a 10 gallon tank temporarily, or should I move some things around and put them in the 29 gallon tank right away? The 29 gallon is currently being occupied by three land hermit crabs, though I suppose I could put them in a 10 gallon despite it being a little on the small side for the largest. They require more space than you'd expect!
On to the millipede's prospective diet. I plan on feeding them chunks of potato, some red lettuce leaves, and what ever veggies and greens are on hand. I suppose they need to be thoroughly washed to remove any pesticides, though organics are better. Do I need to add any thing else, like a calcium supplement? Would eggshells be good for that or do I need calcium powder?
For water, I will have a shallow dish. Does the water need to be treated with conditioner? I have API Tap Water Conditioner for my betta's water. I suppose I could use that if needed.
Anything I am forgetting? I know that AGBs build nests lined with their fecal matter. Do they need anything special to do so? I know that the females can lay up to 100 or so eggs per clutch. What are newly hatched millipedes called? I know that they are small upon hatching and only have one body segment. Or is it more than one? Do they molt in their eggs before hatching? I know that they grow a new segment when they molt and that it takes several molts to achieve their full segmented adult form. They keep on molting when they are adults, right?
Oh, and when handling, are they any special precautions to help minimize staining of fingers from their secretions? How long will the staining last? A few days or can it be washed off right away? It is the secretions, meant to irritate the mouth and eyes, that stain your fingers purple and not their fecal matter, right? I have heard it both ways. I also know that they coil up as a mode of defense when handled, but repeated handling will slowly cause them to be more relaxed. How long does it usually take to get them relaxed with being handled?
One last thing, I heard that they live, on average, for about 5-10 years and get around 10 or so inches long. Is that right? I am willing to make the commitment to them, its not a problem at all. Just need to know what I am getting into here.
Sorry for all the questions but I very new to all this and want to go about it correctly. I'd hate to have one pass away due to a mistake on my part.
What type of substrate can I use? I have heard of using either coco fiber, peat moss, or garden soil. I have a few bricks of Eco Earth brand coco fiber, a huge bale of peat moss and some Scotts Miracle Gro Garden Soil. The coco fiber and peat moss I know are safe, but what of the garden soil? It has plant food granules mixed throughout that worries me. Are the plant food granules a potential hazard to millipedes? Also, do I need to add leaves and wood shavings to it? I can pick up some aspen shavings from Petco when I am there next if need be and use the leaves from the mulch pile out back. There are plenty there. I know that they borrow so I'd need at least a few inches of substrate. Does this mean the substrate needs to constantly be moist for retention when they make their underground tunnels and chambers? Do AGB make chambers and tunnels? I read somewhere that some species of millipede make moulting chambers so this is why I asked.
I plan on getting a couple AGBs from this online store called Sargent Welch. Is that a reputable place? How large are the millipedes that you get? I want to get a male and a female so as to breed them. What are the chances of getting both if I order two? I don't have much more than enough money available for purchasing two, so I need to know my odds. I know how to tell a male from a female but how big does a millipede need to be before its sex can be determined?
As for the setup, I am eventually going to house them in my 29 gallon tank, which has a heating system already set up. Does a temperature of 70-80 degrees and a humidity of 70-80 percent sound okay? Is it okay to keep them in a 10 gallon tank temporarily, or should I move some things around and put them in the 29 gallon tank right away? The 29 gallon is currently being occupied by three land hermit crabs, though I suppose I could put them in a 10 gallon despite it being a little on the small side for the largest. They require more space than you'd expect!
On to the millipede's prospective diet. I plan on feeding them chunks of potato, some red lettuce leaves, and what ever veggies and greens are on hand. I suppose they need to be thoroughly washed to remove any pesticides, though organics are better. Do I need to add any thing else, like a calcium supplement? Would eggshells be good for that or do I need calcium powder?
For water, I will have a shallow dish. Does the water need to be treated with conditioner? I have API Tap Water Conditioner for my betta's water. I suppose I could use that if needed.
Anything I am forgetting? I know that AGBs build nests lined with their fecal matter. Do they need anything special to do so? I know that the females can lay up to 100 or so eggs per clutch. What are newly hatched millipedes called? I know that they are small upon hatching and only have one body segment. Or is it more than one? Do they molt in their eggs before hatching? I know that they grow a new segment when they molt and that it takes several molts to achieve their full segmented adult form. They keep on molting when they are adults, right?
Oh, and when handling, are they any special precautions to help minimize staining of fingers from their secretions? How long will the staining last? A few days or can it be washed off right away? It is the secretions, meant to irritate the mouth and eyes, that stain your fingers purple and not their fecal matter, right? I have heard it both ways. I also know that they coil up as a mode of defense when handled, but repeated handling will slowly cause them to be more relaxed. How long does it usually take to get them relaxed with being handled?
One last thing, I heard that they live, on average, for about 5-10 years and get around 10 or so inches long. Is that right? I am willing to make the commitment to them, its not a problem at all. Just need to know what I am getting into here.
Sorry for all the questions but I very new to all this and want to go about it correctly. I'd hate to have one pass away due to a mistake on my part.