First Millipede Questions

[cap11235]

I'm looking at getting my first millipede, and had a few questions. I've previously kept hissing roaches and giant prickly sticks, but never a myriapod. Firstly, where should I get it, and what kind would you recommend? The local place I looked at has Texas Golds for $20, and Scarlets and Jamaican Bumblebees for $10. Or, would it be better to get another variety online? I am also in the Bay area, so if anyone has an recommendation for stores, I could go to San Fransisco or Oakland. I'd prefer a variety that gets larger, but African Giants seem rather expensive to me.

Secondly, being a college student, I go back home for about 3 weeks every winter, and I was wondering how I should handle that. Should I mail my milli to myself, or should I just leave him here? In the former case, how should I package it? For leaving him, how often do they need food? Could I use some automated feeder like with a fish tank, and could I maintain humidity by sealing the tank? Thank you.

 

[SDCPs]

You could leave the pede for three weeks as long as the enclosure does not dry out. See my website for info on preparing a nutritious substrate. That's mainly what they eat. You could also get an African Giant Millipede or two for $45/75 including shipping, see post in forum: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?239074-30-AGBs

 

[satchellwk]

For recommended species, the three you named there would be fine. In particular, the Texas gold (O. ornatus) can handle a lot drier situations than most (however, they don't tend to breed well in captivity, so you'll be getting a wild-caught individual, which can sometimes be a dice-throw). Scarlets and bumblebees are good, but a bit on the small side, with the bumblebees in particular being a bit fragile and short-lived. If you want to buy online, you could try Bugs in Cyberspace or Ken the Bug Guy, and, in that case, I would suggest any Narceus or Chicobolus species, as both are very hardy, easy to care for, large (4 inches), and easy to breed. As for the 3 weeks in the winter. If you have the enclosure mostly covered and a deep, damp substrate with a high nutrition content (rotten wood and leaves) then I say they should be fine for 3 weeks. However, if you only get a couple, you could easily set up a plastic enclosure that could be transportable in, say, a car if you want to just bring them with you. the mailing to yourself seems a bit unnecessary.

Anyway, good luck with your pedes.

 

[shebeen]

I have Ivories, Narceus, Scarlets and Bumblebees. Of the four, I like the Florida Ivory (Chicobolus spinigerus) the best. They're large, colorful and often out during the day. The Narceus are just as large but tend to stay buried most of the time. The Bumblebees are colorful but, like the Scarlets, are on the small side. All my millipedes, except the Scarlets, have produced offspring. The Narceus and Ivories grow quickly, about 1/4 inch a month. The Bumblebees grow much slower.

As already mentioned, if you provide a nutrition rich substrate with adequate moisture, your millipedes should do fine for 3 weeks unattended. I've purchased from Ken the Bug Guy and Bugs in Cyberspace. You can't go wrong ordering from either one; both provide healthy animals and excellent packaging. I think the link that SDCP posted is a real bargin for AGBs and I'm considering getting a few myself.

 

[VictorHernandez]

You could leave the pede for three weeks as long as the enclosure does not dry out. See my website for info on preparing a nutritious substrate. That's mainly what they eat. You could also get an African Giant Millipede or two for $45/75 including shipping, see post in forum: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?239074-30-AGBs

Do they come sexed? good opportunity to try to breed.

---------- Post added 10-24-2012 at 07:27 PM ----------

I think the millies will do well for 3 weeks if there is enough moisture, and there is proper millipede substrate. Maybe throw in a few fruits and vegetables as well. I Think a Chicobolus spinigerus or a Narceus americanus(or both!) are good starter millipedes. I am getting some myself.

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

Not all species on my site are sexable. Many are sold as immatures, some quite small. Gotta ask on a case by case basis. (email preferred)

 

[shebeen]

... Maybe throw in a few fruits and vegetables as well. ...

If you leave fruits and veggies in the enclosure for 3 weeks, they're going to mold and rot and most likely attract fruit flys and other pests. I remove any uneaten supplemental food (fruit, veggies, cat food, etc.) after 2 days. The millipedes will do fine for 3 weeks just feeding on decaying leaves and hardwood.

 

[SDCPs]

If you leave fruits and veggies in the enclosure for 3 weeks, they're going to mold and rot and most likely attract fruit flys and other pests. I remove any uneaten supplemental food (fruit, veggies, cat food, etc.) after 2 days. The millipedes will do fine for 3 weeks just feeding on decaying leaves and hardwood.

Perfect! A nutritious substrate is the key. Many species will eat nothing else.