Red-legged giant millipede (Rhapidostreptus virgator)

Short answers

Red-legged giant millipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×40×30 cm.

Red-legged giant millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–28 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Red-legged giant millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Red-legged giant millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Red-legged giant millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×30 cm

Substrate

Deep leaf mould with white-rotted wood (20 cm), a calcium source

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves, white-rotted wood, vegetables, cuttlebone

Feeding interval

always available

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

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

A dark body with brilliant red legs. Very easy to breed; the larvae develop in the mulm and need no separate care.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Red-legged giant millipede (Rhapidostreptus virgator) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Beginner
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Red-legged giant millipede (Rhapidostreptus virgator) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×30 cm), substrate (Deep leaf mould with white-rotted wood (20 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.