Does anyone know how to set up an enclosure/habitat for Lithobius forficatus?

[Arachnid Hunter]

I have four of them and nicknamed them the Venom gang in honor of my deceased centipede of this species who was named Venom. They are living together in a simple setup with dirt hides and moss plus a water dish. I want to set up a naturalistic tank that meets their needs. Also, has anyone ever kept these before like communally? any tips or ideas would me much appreciated.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Sounds like you are doing good with them so far, just make sure the substrate stays damp but don't waterlog it.

Have you added springtails yet?

 

[Arachnid Hunter]

No should I?

 

[Arachnid Hunter]

Sounds like you are doing good with them so far, just make sure the substrate stays damp but don't waterlog it.

Have you added springtails yet?

should I add springtails?

 

[Ratmosphere]

I don't think they are necessary yet, but when the centipedes breed you need to add more food sources. The springtails will help keep everything in check once you add them.

 

[KristianDobias]

I have four of them and nicknamed them the Venom gang in honor of my deceased centipede of this species who was named Venom. They are living together in a simple setup with dirt hides and moss plus a water dish. I want to set up a naturalistic tank that meets their needs. Also, has anyone ever kept these before like communally? any tips or ideas would me much appreciated.

Sounds like a nice enclosure but I would add a layer of dead leaf, from my experience and experience of some other Lithobius forficatus keepers this species loves it

I also reccomend adding springtails, not just as food source for the pedelings but also to prevent mold growth

I think I read some people keeping them communaly here but I would have to check who they were, I keep my Lithobius cf. forficatus alone

If i can provide other tips : I assume you are feeding your centipedes pre-killed food, I don't reccomend putting the pre-kills directly on the substrate (putting the pre-kill directly on the substrate increases risk of mold-growth, even with springtails it's better not to risk it, especially from the start) I reccomend using piece of dead leaf as a dish and putting the pre-killed feeder into it, remove both uneaten food and the piece of dead leaf after 24 hours

Don't forget the dead leaves (both the one for the layer and the pieces that will work as a dish) should be baked on atleast 100°C for atleast 1 hour for sterilization

Wish you the best of luck with your new pets

On the picture yo can see my Lithobius cf. forficatus enclosure along with pre-killed feeder and the piece of dead leaf that works like a dish

 

[KristianDobias]

I don't think they are necessary yet, but when the centipedes breed you need to add more food sources. The springtails will help keep everything in check once you add them.

I believe springtails are a neccesity in an enclosure with any wet-loving invert pet as there is always the risk of mold-growth

 

[Ratmosphere]

Correct, but the enclosure should not be "wet".

It should be "damp".

 

[KristianDobias]

Thank Youuuu Very Much for correction ^ ^
Sorry Iam still not the best with English terms and my expression can be sometimes a bit rough

Can I ask what's the difference between the terms „damp“ and „wet“ ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Wet means covered with visible moisture, while damp means slightly wet or moderately moist.

 

[KristianDobias]

Wet means covered with visible moisture, while damp means slightly wet or moderately moist.

Oh Okay

Thank Youuuu Very Much ^ ^

 

[Arachnid Hunter]

thanks all for the info I had one die of natural causes but have three left the soil is damp but not wet and they have bark as hides they even have a water dish for water, but the water dish is shallow they even have a piece of wood to climb on. and they have not bred yet but hoping they will.