Questions for caring for Millipede

[OmniaCore]

1) How do I keep the moisture in the substrate all the way through? I know I am supposed to mist, but I doubt that misting will moist substrate on the bottom of my tank 5 inches from the surface. Could I pour water in the corners of the tank and let it disperse? Could I use a baking funnel so I could disperse water deeper in the soil? If I need to remove my millipede out of my enclosure before I moisten the substrate thoroughly, it's fine, I can do that.

2) I read somewhere that heavy objects more than a few ounces for decor is not recommended as millipede tunnels can cause sinkholes because the object can be too heavy and they could be crushed. Is this true?

3) How often do I need to add calcium to my substrate? From now on I will be buying substrate that already has calcium enrichment, (from Josh's Frogs) but for now I will be using powdered calcium supplements and crushed eggshells. How often will I need to replenish the calcium? I will only be housing one millipede.

4) Is it recommended to freeze or bake foliage and bark i find in the wild?

5) Can I add any soft material to my waste scooper so I won't risk hurting my millipede when she is molting? When I need to replace my substrate or just need to so some maintenance on her tank, I don't want to risk hurting her if she is molting. What would be the best way to remove her from her substrate if the circumstances find it necessary?

6) If I encounter a storm and the power goes out? My heating pad will be effectively useless. Is there any alternative solution I can use to fix this problem should it occur?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Arthroverts]

Wrong sub-forum, the correct one would the Myriapods sub-forum.

Anyway...
1) Hard misting if you just need to moisten the surface, which is most prone to drying out. You should never let the lower regions dry out if possible, and this can be achieved by just pouring water in, in the corners of the enclosure or no. Really not all that much to it.

2) This is true, though I am not sure about specific weights. Large pieces of flat cork bark, which can weigh much more than a few ounces, have enough surface area that the chance of it collapsing on a specimen (especially when there is only one millipede in the tank, as you seem to be planning on) is practically nil. However, items such as rocks, heavy logs, ceramic water/food dishes, etc. can pose a threat if not properly positioned, and are often best left out altogether.

3) It is not necessary to add calcium, its more so done by many keepers for peace of mind. If you are set on adding calcium just mix it in when you do a substrate change/add substrate.

4) If you are having problems with pests baking the wood/leaves at about 200F for 30 minutes is generally recommended (freezing doesn't kill everything), though I just wash my leaves/wood and then place them on pans outside in the sun for a day or two.

5) I'm not sure what you mean. There isn't really any waste in millipede enclosures that will need to be scooped out per se except during substrate changes, and even then you can just use a small spade/your hands/dump the whole thing out. Supplemental foods such as fruits and veggies that need to be removed are easily done so by hand/tongs/spoon generally.
You don't change the substrate until you see the specimen on the surface, just that simple. Once the specimen is crawling around on the surface removal and whatever else is necessary afterwards is straightforward enough. With multiple specimens it becomes a bit more complex, but digging should generally be avoided wherever possible.

6) How long of a power outage are we talking here? Depending on what species you are planning on getting it should be fine all the way down into the high 50s-low60sF, and many native species can take it even cooler for short periods of time. If you really need to keep the specimen warm, heat packs (such as those made by UniHeat) might be a good back-up source of warmth.

I would also recommend checking out the below links, and after that if you have further questions myself and others would be happy to assist you; welcome to the wonderful world of millipede-keeping!

My Very Fussy MILLIPEDE Substrate

I have been mixing my own substrate and changing it a little each batch to improve it. This is the mix I have been happy with for a year or so. It seems fussy with all the rinsing, baking etc., but my losses are almost 0 and all but 1 mature species have produced pedelings (I most likely had...

arachnoboards.com

Cavedweller's Basic Millipede Caresheet

Cavedweller’s Millipede Basics Care tips are generalized and may vary by species. Last updated 05-21-14 Introduction: Millipedes are slow moving, peaceful detritivores, organisms that eat dead plant matter and turn it into soil. They are not insects, but rather of the class Diplopoda...

arachnoboards.com

How to Care for Pet Millipedes

Husbandry suggestions and advice.

petmillipede.weebly.com

Hope this helps,

Arthroverts

 

[OmniaCore]

Thank you! I was so nervous that I was going to do something wrong

I suppose I could just move my millipede to a temporary container or make sure she's above ground when I add water to the substrate. Finding a way for the water to travel to the bottom of the substrate should solve itself, water does spread after all. When I worked with flowers, I would check to see if they're dry by sticking my finger into the soil, I could use the same method here.

I really appreciate your help, and thank you for the resources! That was a huge sigh of relief to read!

God bless my friend

 

[Arthroverts]

No problem, happy to be of service!

You could do that, but I have never heard of a millipede dying due to coming in contact with water while underground.
Finger in the soil is probably the best non-visual way to tell, ha ha.

May the same apply to you and your millipedes!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[OmniaCore]

No problem, happy to be of service!

You could do that, but I have never heard of a millipede dying due to coming in contact with water while underground.
Finger in the soil is probably the best non-visual way to tell, ha ha.

May the same apply to you and your millipedes!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Hello again! I have my terrarium set up for her to arrive tomorrow morning, but there's one thing I'm a little worried about. The temperature.

When I was buying my supplies, I purchased a reptile heating pad at the pet store in case I would need one. My room is on the second floor of the house, and I don't have an air conditioner in this room. My ps4 and TV also generate quite a bit of heat, so that helps too. My thermometer says that its around 72 degrees faranheight.

Is this okay? Granted, its early in the afternoon and I live in Michigan. I'm afraid if I use my heating pad that my tank will get way too hot for her and that it may dry the substrate. Could I only keep it on during night-time? Or is there an alternative method I can use to keep her around 75?

Thanks for your help!

 

[itstracc]

Hello again! I have my terrarium set up for her to arrive tomorrow morning, but there's one thing I'm a little worried about. The temperature.

When I was buying my supplies, I purchased a reptile heating pad at the pet store in case I would need one. My room is on the second floor of the house, and I don't have an air conditioner in this room. My ps4 and TV also generate quite a bit of heat, so that helps too. My thermometer says that its around 72 degrees faranheight.

Is this okay? Granted, its early in the afternoon and I live in Michigan. I'm afraid if I use my heating pad that my tank will get way too hot for her and that it may dry the substrate. Could I only keep it on during night-time? Or is there an alternative method I can use to keep her around 75?

Thanks for your help!

What type of millipede do you have? Most species do perfectly fine at room temperature (I have Narceus americanus, Orthoporus ornatus, and Chicobolus spinigerus all in the same tank without supplemental heating), and I can't think of any that would absolutely need hotter than room temp (there's some that prefer colder however).

Also, this question was already answered, but I wanted to add something else in regards to the watering issue: I always just pour water directly into the substrate around the edges once or twice a month, and then all throughout the tank every two months or so, and all of my millipedes have been fine. I'm sure some have been molting while I've done it, and I've also recently discovered plings that I'm sure were still eggs during my last watering, and they didn't have any issues either. As long as you're not dumping a gallon of water and completely flooding it (only pour enough water in to soak through to the bottom), your millipede will be fine.

 

[OmniaCore]

What type of millipede do you have? Most species do perfectly fine at room temperature (I have Narceus americanus, Orthoporus ornatus, and Chicobolus spinigerus all in the same tank without supplemental heating), and I can't think of any that would absolutely need hotter than room temp (there's some that prefer colder however).

Also, this question was already answered, but I wanted to add something else in regards to the watering issue: I always just pour water directly into the substrate around the edges once or twice a month, and then all throughout the tank every two months or so, and all of my millipedes have been fine. I'm sure some have been molting while I've done it, and I've also recently discovered plings that I'm sure were still eggs during my last watering, and they didn't have any issues either. As long as you're not dumping a gallon of water and completely flooding it (only pour enough water in to soak through to the bottom), your millipede will be fine.

I have a Florida Ivory Millipede, but based on the information you gave me, I feel a lot more confident in the home I have provided for her

Thank you for the watering tip too, I was a little worried on that

God bless my friend

 

[itstracc]

I have a Florida Ivory Millipede, but based on the information you gave me, I feel a lot more confident in the home I have provided for her

Thank you for the watering tip too, I was a little worried on that

God bless my friend

Yep! I've got three ivories in my sorority and they're all thriving at a day/night range of 67-75°F, typically staying between 70-72. I have a heat lamp that I'll eventually use when I upgrade them to a custom terrarium (I'll be converting an old display cabinet) just to get the ambient temp up to 75-78° since I'll be including live plants as well and have a mister to keep the humidity up. Right now in their 12×12×18" though they're doing just fine without it!

When I used the heat lamp for a little while I did notice that my Narceus were more active when the temps were 78-82°, but my ivories started to only come out at night when the temperature dropped so I assume it was too warm for them. My Orthoporus was equally happy with both ranges and is always out no matter what haha

 

[OmniaCore]

Yep! I've got three ivories in my sorority and they're all thriving at a day/night range of 67-75°F, typically staying between 70-72. I have a heat lamp that I'll eventually use when I upgrade them to a custom terrarium (I'll be converting an old display cabinet) just to get the ambient temp up to 75-78° since I'll be including live plants as well and have a mister to keep the humidity up. Right now in their 12×12×18" though they're doing just fine without it!

When I used the heat lamp for a little while I did notice that my Narceus were more active when the temps were 78-82°, but my ivories started to only come out at night when the temperature dropped so I assume it was too warm for them. My Orthoporus was equally happy with both ranges and is always out no matter what haha

Hello, I am very upset

My millipede has arrived today and i made sure to give her everything she needs in her enclosure.

She's been in the same curled up position for a few hours now, and I'm afraid that she's dying. Did I do something wrong?

 

[itstracc]

Hello, I am very upset

My millipede has arrived today and i made sure to give her everything she needs in her enclosure.

She's been in the same curled up position for a few hours now, and I'm afraid that she's dying. Did I do something wrong?

Could you send a picture of your enclosure? Also, was she shipped to you? If she was shipped she's likely just stressed from the process and should open up tonight once it's dark since they're nocturnal.

 

[Arthroverts]

Hello, I am very upset

My millipede has arrived today and i made sure to give her everything she needs in her enclosure.

She's been in the same curled up position for a few hours now, and I'm afraid that she's dying. Did I do something wrong?

Pictures would help clarify this "curled up position" you speak of. Millipedes can spend hours grooming themselves in more or less the same position, so I'm hoping it's just that and not the signature death curl of many specimens. Whatever you do don't disturb it however; it could be very late in premolt as well.

Thanks,

Arthroverts