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Introduction
to Millipedes
Giant millipedes have become fairly common
as household pets. Their shere size proves quite an attraction,
and they are a favourite with both young kids, and adults
alike. Although looking fairly sinister, millipedes are totally
harmless to humans, unlike the sometimes confused; centipede.
The only real defense method they have (apart from rolling
themselves into a ball), is secreting a cyanide based substance
onto a potential predator.
Millipedes are good to keep as exotic pets,
as they are fairly tollerant to handling. These docile inverts
will usually just crawl around your hand, however larger african
species will usually roll into a ball, and sometimes secrete
their chemical onto your hand.
These wonderful beasts originate from all
over the world, even in the UK. However, UK species rarely
reach more than 2 inches in length. Most of the giant species
originate from hot climates, some, desert climates, but none
living in extreme cold, or arctic climates.
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Millipedes
and Centipedes often get mixed up, due to the fact that they are
both similar "unique" invertebrates. The main difference
between the two, regarding captive care, if that millipedes are
not poisonous, not are they carnivorous. Many also think that millipedes
have 1000 legs; and rightly so! The latin word "milli",
means 1000, however millipedes typically have between 100 and 400
legs.
Millipedes
are usually found in rotting logs, or rotten leaf matter. The root
through finding any rotting fruits, or vegetation. They have poor
eyesight, which is why they spend a lot of time rummaging in darkened
areas. They will often hide from bright day light, and bury themselves
in peat or soil.
On
average, millipedes live between 7-10 years, which is a fairly long
time for captive kept invertebrates. They can grow up to 10 inches
long, with some exceptions being a little longer, and some, much
smaller. Millipedes can be kept comunally with no problems, which
can be great for saving space!
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