Getting an Ivory Millipede.

[AnnaW]

With the recent passing of my Greenhouse millipede, I've decided to bank some money into a slightly bigger millipede, a Florida Ivory Millipede. I know a good bit about how to keep them, temperature, what they need food-wise, and what they need in their substrate, but I still have a few questions I'm itching to ask. I know eggshells provide calcium when you don't have calcium powder, but is there away to provide protein to them if you don't have any protein powder? What will they eat to get that? Also, how do you keep the subrstate moist? Ive heard you want it damp at the bottom but dry on top, and as a second time keeper I'm still unfamiliar with how to provide that (their substrate will be leaf litter, twigs, and Creatures substrate from petco. I will be baking the leaves and twigs to kill off pests). I was also wondering how well they did with live plants. I know they like fresh veggies but I was wondering how well they do with things like ferns, because I grow them and I like putting in live plants for my 'pedes. Thanks in advance!

 

[mickiem]

That is a lot of questions. There are a lot of care sheets on this forum - a very good one is pinned. If you have a good substrate - that will make up the largest portion of their diet. You can feed vegetable scraps from your own meals. Some of the best foods are decayed oak leaves and rotten wood. If you are using a screen cover, you should cover most of it to maintain a higher humidity. A dry environment is a killer. Plants need lights. Lights bother millipedes. Not a great mix. They will eat fish foods that have high protein, but remember they are detritivores (decayed leaves and rotten wood). I use a fine mist with distilled water and spray mine twice a week. Best of luck!

 

[BepopCola]

• is there away to provide protein to them if you don't have any protein powder? What will they eat to get that?
  • The easiest is offering fish/dog/cat food or dead insects for protein supplementation.
  • They also like dried shrimp.

• I was also wondering how well they did with live plants. I know they like fresh veggies but I was wondering how well they do with things like ferns, because I grow them and I like putting in live plants for my 'pedes
  • Ivories don't seem to mind the light as much as my other species (in my experience). I don't use super bright lights either though.
  • They will, however, destroy a fern.
  • They do better with thicker leaved plants like Dracaena, Schefflera, or Sanserveria, (these also do well in weaker light) but they will try and eat these if they're damaged/begin to die. Bromeliads are another option, but they may need brighter lights.
  • I have been trying pothos with mine lately, they have not been chewed on (but pothos may or may-not be bad for them, should they eat it).

 

[AnnaW]

• is there away to provide protein to them if you don't have any protein powder? What will they eat to get that?
  • The easiest is offering fish/dog/cat food or dead insects for protein supplementation.
  • They also like dried shrimp.

• I was also wondering how well they did with live plants. I know they like fresh veggies but I was wondering how well they do with things like ferns, because I grow them and I like putting in live plants for my 'pedes
  • Ivories don't seem to mind the light as much as my other species (in my experience). I don't use super bright lights either though.
  • They will, however, destroy a fern.
  • They do better with thicker leaved plants like Dracaena, Schefflera, or Sanserveria, (these also do well in weaker light) but they will try and eat these if they're damaged/begin to die. Bromeliads are another option, but they may need brighter lights.
  • I have been trying pothos with mine lately, they have not been chewed on (but pothos may or may-not be bad for them, should they eat it).

Thank you!