cmacky
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Messages
- 7
Hey y’all!
I’m an experienced isopod owner, and I have a ton of them. However, last fall I decided I wanted to try my hand at caring for a colony of Narceus americanus, because I’m getting extremely interested in millipede care.
So they’re doing crazy good actually! I originally bought 10 adults, and kept them in a simple bin using the same substrate mix I use for my isopods: organic compost, huge amounts of dead leaves, worm castings, calcium powder (without vitamin D) and rotting white wood shreds. Then I give them pieces of rotting bark to climb on, live on/under, and eat; and I top the substrate with lots of rotting leaves.
They have EXPLODED in population, I’ve seen dozens of babies in the substrate and crawling on the surface, and whenever I open their bin, the adults are ALWAYS copulating. It’s awesome!
So here’s my weird issue: they never eat the fruit and veggies I give them! I’ve tried cucumbers, squash, bananas, strawberries, apples, and even things like Tilia and comfrey leaves as a treat. And, they’ve NEVER touched any! I have to remove them after a day or two before they get all moldy. The substrate is very nutritious and BRIMMING with springtails, and I’m just not certain why they’re not touching their fresh foods.
My assumption is that they get enough nutrience from the substrate, dead leaves, and rotting wood pieces, but what gives? Anyone have any experiences like this?
I’m an experienced isopod owner, and I have a ton of them. However, last fall I decided I wanted to try my hand at caring for a colony of Narceus americanus, because I’m getting extremely interested in millipede care.
So they’re doing crazy good actually! I originally bought 10 adults, and kept them in a simple bin using the same substrate mix I use for my isopods: organic compost, huge amounts of dead leaves, worm castings, calcium powder (without vitamin D) and rotting white wood shreds. Then I give them pieces of rotting bark to climb on, live on/under, and eat; and I top the substrate with lots of rotting leaves.
They have EXPLODED in population, I’ve seen dozens of babies in the substrate and crawling on the surface, and whenever I open their bin, the adults are ALWAYS copulating. It’s awesome!
So here’s my weird issue: they never eat the fruit and veggies I give them! I’ve tried cucumbers, squash, bananas, strawberries, apples, and even things like Tilia and comfrey leaves as a treat. And, they’ve NEVER touched any! I have to remove them after a day or two before they get all moldy. The substrate is very nutritious and BRIMMING with springtails, and I’m just not certain why they’re not touching their fresh foods.
My assumption is that they get enough nutrience from the substrate, dead leaves, and rotting wood pieces, but what gives? Anyone have any experiences like this?
