The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 20 × 20 cm
Diet
Decaying wood & leaves; veg · Veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
23–27°C
Humidity
75–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Spirostreptida
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Occasional import; small colourful species
Adult size
5–8 cm
Lifespan
3–5 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower
Temperament
Docile, active
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
23–27°C
Humidity
75–85%
Min. enclosure
30x20x20 cm for a group
Substrate
6–8 cm coco fibre + rotting wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying wood & leaves; 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, colony breeder
Defense / stress signs
Coiling, fluid secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Breeds in humid colonies
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, mites
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports
Good to know
- Often sold as 'fire train' millipedes for their red-orange banding.
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