The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Decaying hardwood & leaves; veg/fruit · Veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
20–26°C
Humidity
70–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Spirobolida
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common in US hobby; occasional SEA import
Adult size
10–12 cm
Lifespan
Up to ~10 yrs
Growth rate
Slow–moderate
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower
Temperament
Docile
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid (can stain skin) — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
20–26°C
Humidity
70–85%
Min. enclosure
45x30x30 cm for a group
Substrate
8–10 cm coco fibre + rotting hardwood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying hardwood & 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 (secretion can stain)
Communal
Yes – communal
Defense / stress signs
Coiling, brown/purple staining secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Lays eggs in soil; slow to mature
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, low-calcium molts
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports
Good to know
- Its defensive fluid can leave a harmless purple-brown stain on your fingers.
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