Fire millipede (Centrobolus splendidus)

Short answers

Fire millipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×30 cm for a small group (about 5 animals); ~30×30×40 cm for about 10 animals.

Fire millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, at night ~20–22 °C.

Fire millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Fire millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 2–4 years (millipedes live several years; species-specific figures are sparse).

Fire millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

~20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×30 cm for a small group (about 5 animals); ~30×30×40 cm for about 10 animals

Substrate

At least 10 cm of a loose mix of leaf humus, white-rotted wood, coco humus plus a little cork granulate; permanently slightly damp, never wet; a damp and a dry zone

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves and rotten white wood (the staple); plus soft vegetables (carrot, courgette, cucumber), a little protein (fish flakes for example) and calcium

Feeding interval

leaf litter and wood always in the tank; top up with vegetables 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 4–7 cm (figures range from 1.5–2 inches to ~7–9 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 2–4 years (millipedes live several years; species-specific figures are sparse)

Origin

Southern Mozambique (East Africa), tropical coastal forest and savannah

Protection status

Not protected (not listed under CITES or German nature conservation law); captive-bred animals in the trade

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony/group housing explicitly recommended and common (e.g. around 5–10 animals); peaceful, sociable, not cannibalistic. Deep, moist substrate for shedding and reproduction (juveniles develop underground). 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

A striking red-and-black dwarf millipede. It buries itself to moult – do not dig it out (this interrupts the moult and is often fatal). When disturbed it releases a defensive secretion (benzoquinones) – wash your hands after contact and keep it away from your eyes. Its life expectancy is poorly documented for the species (a guide value).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Fire millipede (Centrobolus splendidus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Mozambique giant millipede (Centrobolus sp. Mosambik) – Beginner
• Red fire millipede (Centrobolus ruber) – Beginner
• Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Beginner
• American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) – Beginner
• Bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) – Beginner
• Ghana giant millipede (Ophistreptus guineensis) – Beginner
• Ghana black-foot millipede (Spirostreptus gregorius) – Beginner
• Green millipede (Telodeinopus aoutii) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Fire millipede (Centrobolus splendidus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm for a small group (about 5 animals); ~30×30×40 cm for about 10 animals), substrate (At least 10 cm of a loose mix of leaf humus, white-rotted wood, coco humus plus a little cork granulate; permanently slightly damp, never wet; a damp and a dry zone), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.