The numbers
Enclosure
20–40 L for a group of 6–10
Diet
Decaying leaves & wood; fruit, veg · Veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
22–26°C
Humidity
70–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Spirobolida
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common, prolific hobby species
Adult size
Up to ~10 cm
Lifespan
3–5 yrs
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower
Temperament
Docile
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
22–26°C
Humidity
70–85%
Min. enclosure
20–40 L for a group of 6–10
Substrate
5–8 cm coco fibre + rotting wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying leaves & wood; fruit, veg
Feeding frequency
Veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Supplements
Cuttlebone / calcium always available
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Gentle, brief; wash hands after, avoid eyes
Communal
Yes – communal, breeds readily
Defense / stress signs
Coiling, mild fluid secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Prolific; easy to breed in colonies
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMites, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine; can become invasive if released
Good to know
- Black-and-yellow banding earns the 'bumblebee' name; a great beginner breeder.
Others in this group
Giant African MillipedeArchispirostreptus gigasThai/Vietnamese Giant Centipede (Yellow-leg / Cherry)Scolopendra dehaaniVietnamese / Asian Giant CentipedeScolopendra subspinipesVietnam Giant MillipedeVietnam Giant millipedeAmazonian Giant CentipedeScolopendra giganteaTanzanian Red-headed / Tiger CentipedeScolopendra morsitansVietnamese Rainbow MillipedeTonkinbolus dollfusiRusty / Scarlet Asian MillipedeTrigoniulus corallinus