American giant millipede (Narceus americanus)

Short answers

American giant millipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×30×30 cm (single animal or small group), of which 10–15 cm is substrate.

American giant millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 16–20 °C.

American giant millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

American giant millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

American giant millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×30×30 cm (single animal or small group), of which 10–15 cm is substrate

Substrate

Deep leaf mould with white-rotted wood (15 cm), a calcium source

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves, white-rotted wood, vegetables, cuttlebone

Feeding interval

always available

Key facts

Adult size

10–12 cm, individual animals up to 15 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

The eastern USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–12 weeks

Cohabitation

Group housing. You see more of them in a group, but they are not dependent on it — kept alone, such an animal carries on just as unobtrusively.

Notes

To be kept cooler than the tropical species – native fallen leaves (oak, beech) are ideal food. Under stress it releases a skin-irritating secretion: wash your hands after contact.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Beginner
• Bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) – Beginner
• Fire millipede (Centrobolus splendidus) – Beginner
• Ghana giant millipede (Ophistreptus guineensis) – Beginner
• Ghana black-foot millipede (Spirostreptus gregorius) – Beginner
• Green millipede (Telodeinopus aoutii) – Beginner
• Madagascar fire millipede (Aphistogoniulus corallipes) – Beginner
• Mozambique giant millipede (Centrobolus sp. Mosambik) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×30×30 cm (single animal or small group), of which 10–15 cm is substrate), substrate (Deep leaf mould with white-rotted wood (15 cm), a calcium source), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.