Is my 2 year old A.Gigas going to die from this?!

[Andee]

Are they adding cool packs at all to your shipping boxes? I would ask if they could if they haven't been. I add them, and usually insulate the box and the cool pack so the cool pack doesn't make everything too cold for the insects directly but keeps it relatively cool in general with the shipping temperature spikes. I have shipped some pretty delicate insects in 85-90 degree temps recently as a test since the other person was ok with it and we worried otherwise for shipping this season (and though I hate testing it was necessary), we lost less than the extra 10 insects I usually put in for DOA coverage.

 

[Stephan Ratliff]

Are they adding cool packs at all to your shipping boxes? I would ask if they could if they haven't been. I add them, and usually insulate the box and the cool pack so the cool pack doesn't make everything too cold for the insects directly but keeps it relatively cool in general with the shipping temperature spikes. I have shipped some pretty delicate insects in 85-90 degree temps recently as a test since the other person was ok with it and we worried otherwise for shipping this season (and though I hate testing it was necessary), we lost less than the extra 10 insects I usually put in for DOA coverage.

Yeah they had a cool pack in it but by the time it got here it was basically room temperature. It must have been more than 100 degrees in that damn box. But Ward's is sending me 2 replacements and today isn't as hot of a day so I'm hopeful!

 

[Stephan Ratliff]

Coconut fiber is basically inedible, and has absolutely no nutrients. It can't be used to feed anything. Rotten wood and leaves on the other hand are full of nutrients.

Take this info from Orin McMonigle's book, "Millipeds in Captivity":

"Quality substrate includes a base and a food component. A base substrate is used for the bottom inch or two and edible substrate is placed on top. The base retains moisture and allows for burrowing. A portion of the food substrates is mixed in so tiny millipeds don't have to travel far without finding food".

He lists compost, coconut fiber and potting soil as base substrates, and rotten wood, decaying leaves and sawdust as food substrates.

So you can keep your old substrate at the bottom, but it is important that another couple inches or so of edible substrate be placed on top, otherwise they'll starve. Honestly, compost would be a better base though, since it actually has some nutrition, but coconut fiber can be used instead.

Really hope the little guy pulls through, keep us updated!

Sorry for not updating sooner!
I had an eventful day with the new pedes arriving,followed by taking my wife out to the fair.
Ward's sent me TWO Millis to replace the one that died. TWO! And they are energetic! Crawling all over the place right out of the box!
They also sent them with 1 day shipping,two cooling packs and had no delays this time which I believe made a huge difference.
They are also a bit younger than the last at around 12-15 months vs the previous mili who was 2-2 1/2 years old.
Took your advice Hisserdude and got some of that substrate you mentioned. They seem happy! Got some more decaying wood on the way from Ward's as well. Will post pics soon

I'm not sure about the whole wound thing, but your millipedes will die if kept on that substrate. Their main diet is rotten, decaying hardwood leaves and wood, which is what the bulk of the substrate should be made out of, they'll never survive on that substrate mix with just supplemental foods like fruits and veggies alone.

I highly recommend looking around in a wooded area around you for old, decaying hardwood leaves and fallen logs that you can obtain dark brown, really rotten wood from, which you should mix with leaf compost or compost manure and use as the substrate.

If you can't find suitable materials near you, I'd suggest buying pre-made substrate like the composite blend offered here.

 

[Hisserdude]

Sorry for not updating sooner!
I had an eventful day with the new pedes arriving,followed by taking my wife out to the fair.
Ward's sent me TWO Millis to replace the one that died. TWO! And they are energetic! Crawling all over the place right out of the box!
They also sent them with 1 day shipping,two cooling packs and had no delays this time which I believe made a huge difference.
They are also a bit younger than the last at around 12-15 months vs the previous mili who was 2-2 1/2 years old.
Took your advice Hisserdude and got some of that substrate you mentioned. They seem happy! Got some more decaying wood on the way from Ward's as well. Will post pics soon

Glad to hear they sent you two replacements, that's great! Also happy to hear that you got them some good substrate, hope your millipedes live a nice long life!

 

[Andee]

Sounds like they know customer service for sure. I am truly sorry about your first guy, it always sucks when they don't do well. Shipping can be a pain, it's why I will often prolong shipping depending on how badly people need their insects, based on temps and other conditions. But sometimes there are just some unforseeable things like delaying. But it sounds like your new babes are doing beautifully. I hope they do great for you! Apparently the A. Gigas like spinach if I have the names correct.

 

[Stephan Ratliff]

Glad to hear they sent you two replacements, that's great! Also happy to hear that you got them some good substrate, hope your millipedes live a nice long life!

Oh yeah Hisserdude I has another substrate question.... Before I even got the first millipede my wife and I got the peat moss and the coco fiber in the tank. Didn't really see anything about layering them in any specific order so we kinda just mixed them up in equal parts. Is it ok to leave that way or did we do a goof? The current Millis seem happy enough the way it is but just wanna be sure.

 

[Hisserdude]

Oh yeah Hisserdude I has another substrate question.... Before I even got the first millipede my wife and I got the peat moss and the coco fiber in the tank. Didn't really see anything about layering them in any specific order so we kinda just mixed them up in equal parts. Is it ok to leave that way or did we do a goof? The current Millis seem happy enough the way it is but just wanna be sure.

It would be a lot better to leave that old substrate at the bottom and place the edible substrate on top, mixing them together will just make it harder (but not impossible) for them to find their food.

 

[Stephan Ratliff]

It would be a lot better to leave that old substrate at the bottom and place the edible substrate on top, mixing them together will just make it harder (but not impossible) for them to find their food.

Yep that's how I got it,added the new stuff we got on top of our old stuff.Just wanted to make sure I didn't have to refill the tank differently with our old substrate.

 

[Hisserdude]

Yep that's how I got it,added the new stuff we got on top of our old stuff.Just wanted to make sure I didn't have to refill the tank differently with our old substrate.

That should be good then! I wish you and your millipedes well, hopefully in a few years you'll have huge 12" monsters!