Any Recommendations for Centipede substrate

[Lucyzd]

Hi, I just want to ask some recommendations on substrate for my centipede. I'm planning to change it as well. I'm using coco peat for now.


Would you also recommend on putting a springtails for cleaners? Can spring tails attack, after the centipede molt? Thanks!

 

[Sterls]

Springtails cannot harm your inverts. Isopods however have been known to munch on inverts after a molt.

 

[Lucyzd]

I see, thanks!

 

[StampFan]

A lot of folks add in a little sand for texture and drainage to whatever soil mixture they are using. Or a little vermiculite to help hold moisture.

 

[thomlennon]

A lot of folks add in a little sand for texture and drainage to whatever soil mixture they are using. Or a little vermiculite to help hold moisture.

I always add a little activated charcoal to my soil mix

 

[Matts inverts]

Coco and leaf litter

 

[Matts inverts]

Coco and leaf litter

 

[8 legged]

I always add a little activated charcoal to my soil mix

Interesting. What is the purpose of the activated charcoal?

 

[thomlennon]

Interesting. What is the purpose of the activated charcoal?

It helps capture odors and any gases released by natural decomposition, helps keep the air fresh

 

[thomlennon]

Interesting. What is the purpose of the activated charcoal?

Also depending on the water you use it can help absorb any impurities

 

[8 legged]

Thank you!
Can you tell me an adequate mix ratio
I use filtered water from our drinking water system. Not the "Britta" crap, but a real filter system.

 

[thomlennon]

It’s only about 5% of my substrate mix

 

[8 legged]

Do you use this mix only for centipeds?

 

[thomlennon]

Do you use this mix only for centipeds?

I use it for my T’s, scorpion and millipede. I don’t have a centipede yet

 

[8 legged]

OK, I will try this for my spiders. Thank you for the idea!

 

[Scoly]

I advise against coco peat/coir whatever it's called. Centipedes do eat it and it can cause gut impaction. I know people who have pulled strands out of their centipede's anus, and others who have dissected dead centipedes to find strands in the guts.

I use a mix of top soil, sand, moss peat, leaf litter, wood flakes & twigs and recently have been adding broken up dung pellets from the pachnoda feeder colony. I have a mix of native and tropical springtails in every enclosure, which don't harm centipedes (and neither do the vast majority of mites for that matter).

I don't like super absorbent substrates like coco coir because it seems to always be too wet or too dry, unless its in a small tub with very little ventilation, which is suitable for pedelings.

 

[Matts inverts]

Are you getting confused with millipedes, my local store beads all there centipedes on coir

 

[Rhino1]

I always add a little activated charcoal to my soil mix

X2. In my experience it makes a huge difference to the viability of long term enclosures, Ive never had an enclosure "sour" whilst there was a small percentage of charcoal in the sub.
I've used it with everything I've kept in the last 30 years

 

[Matt Man]

Are you getting confused with millipedes, my local store beads all there centipedes on coir

I was thinking the same, Centipedes are typically feeding on prey