The numbers
Enclosure
60 × 30 × 50 cm
Diet
Rotting leaves & wood; occasional fruit · Fruit/veg 2x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
65–80% (more drought-tolerant)
Identity
Order / Family
Spirostreptida
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Common hobby import
Adult size
20–26 cm
Lifespan
Up to ~7 yrs
Growth rate
Slow–moderate
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower/climber
Temperament
Gentle, docile
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
65–80% (more drought-tolerant)
Min. enclosure
60x30x50 cm with climbing branches
Substrate
10 cm coco fibre + rotting wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, branches, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Rotting leaves & wood; occasional fruit
Feeding frequency
Fruit/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
SignsMites, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports
Good to know
- Milk-chocolate colouring and a surprising tolerance of drier spells.
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