Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)

Short answers

Giant African millipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×40×50 cm (a group), with a deep substrate layer.

Giant African millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–27 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Giant African millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No.

Giant African millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 7–10 years.

Giant African millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–27 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

No

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×40×50 cm (a group), with a deep substrate layer

Substrate

Deciduous-forest leaf mould + white-rotted wood + calcium, 10–15 cm deep; no peat and no fertilised soil

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves (beech or oak), rotten wood, fruit, vegetables (courgette or pumpkin), cuttlebone or calcium

Feeding interval

replace with fresh food several times a week

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~30 cm, exceptional individuals up to 33.5 cm (circumference about 6.7 cm)

Life expectancy

7–10 years

Origin

East Africa (Kenya to Mozambique), lowland forests and coastal regions

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group housing (from around 5 animals) is recommended. You see more of them in a group, but they are not dependent on it — kept alone, such an animal carries on quite unremarkably too.

Notes

Under stress it releases a defensive secretion (benzoquinones) – keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes, and wash your hands after contact. A high calcium requirement; the mites on it are often harmless commensals.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) in the marketplace →

Related species

• American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) – 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 Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×40×50 cm (a group), with a deep substrate layer), substrate (Deciduous-forest leaf mould + white-rotted wood + calcium, 10–15 cm deep; no peat and no fertilised soil), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.