The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 20 × 20 cm
Diet
Decaying leaves, wood & organic matter · Leaf litter always
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
~90%
Identity
Order / Family
Polydesmida
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; range-restricted Thai endemic
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Rare; largely a wild Thai endemic, seldom traded
Adult size
~3 cm
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Surface crawler in leaf litter
Temperament
Docile, active
Venom / defense
Harmless to humans; secretes cyanide defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
~90%
Min. enclosure
30x20x20 cm horizontal for a group
Substrate
3–4 cm damp soil + decaying wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, moss, leaf litter; very humid
Diet
Staple food
Decaying leaves, wood & organic matter
Feeding frequency
Leaf litter always
Supplements
Cuttlebone / calcium available
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Look-don't-touch; cyanide secretion
Communal
Yes – small groups
Defense / stress signs
Curling, almond-scented cyanide secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Lays eggs in substrate
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsVery sensitive to dryness
Red flags / quarantine
SignsConservation-sensitive endemic; discourage wild collection
Good to know
- Described in 2007 from Thailand — its shocking-pink body made global headlines.
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