Tonkin millipede (Tonkinbolus dollfusi)

Short answers

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

40×30×30 cm for up to about 10 animals; bark and root hides.

Tonkin millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Tonkin millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Tonkin millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 3–5 years.

Tonkin millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–90 % (constantly high)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×30 cm for up to about 10 animals; bark and root hides

Substrate

At least 10 cm of forest leaf humus plus coco and leaf litter (oak, beech, birch); a calcium source; damp without waterlogging

Feeding

Food

Sweet fruit (watermelon or papaya), protein (balance flakes for example), fallen leaves and white-rotted wood; little vegetable matter

Feeding interval

leaf litter and wood always available; fruit and protein several times a week in small amounts

Key facts

Adult size

9–11 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 3–5 years

Origin

Southern Vietnam, Thailand

Protection status

No CITES or protected status

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group housing possible (up to around 10 animals). A group is an option, not a necessity: kept singly, these animals lack nothing. Anyone housing them together needs a large enclosure, its own hiding place for every animal, and plenty of food — otherwise the group becomes one.

Notes

The Vietnamese rainbow millipede; grey with a red dorsal line and red legs and antennae. A poor climber, sensitive to waterlogging and to swings in the parameters → less suitable for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Tonkin millipede (Tonkinbolus dollfusi) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Tonkin millipede (Tonkinbolus caudulanus) – Beginner
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tonkin millipede (Tonkinbolus dollfusi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×30 cm for up to about 10 animals; bark and root hides), substrate (At least 10 cm of forest leaf humus plus coco and leaf litter (oak, beech, birch); a calcium source; damp without waterlogging), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.