The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Decaying wood & leaves; veg/fruit · Veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
23–27°C
Humidity
70–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Spirobolida
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; check Madagascar export controls
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Occasional; striking red-orange species
Adult size
10–15 cm
Lifespan
5–7 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower
Temperament
Docile
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
23–27°C
Humidity
70–85%
Min. enclosure
45x30x30 cm for a group
Substrate
10 cm coco fibre + rotting wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying wood & leaves; veg/fruit
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
Defense / stress signs
Coiling, fluid secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Lays eggs in soil
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, mites; wild-caught fragility
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports; mostly wild-caught
Good to know
- Fiery red legs give it its 'fire' name — a Madagascar rainforest endemic group.
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 morsitansBumblebee MillipedeAnadenobolus monilicornisVietnamese Rainbow MillipedeTonkinbolus dollfusi