The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 20 × 20 cm
Diet
Decaying leaves & wood; light veg · Leaf litter always; veg 1–2x/week
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
80–90%
Identity
Order / Family
Polydesmida
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Fairly common Thai flat-back in the SEA hobby
Adult size
4–7 cm
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate–fast
Activity & niche
Surface crawler/detritivore
Temperament
Docile, active
Venom / defense
Harmless to humans; secretes cyanide/benzoquinone fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Price (THB)
80–250
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
80–90%
Min. enclosure
30x20x20 cm horizontal for a group
Substrate
4–6 cm damp soil + decaying wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, moss, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying leaves & wood; light veg
Feeding frequency
Leaf litter always; veg 1–2x/week
Supplements
Cuttlebone / calcium available
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Gentle, brief; wash hands after, avoid eyes
Communal
Yes – colony-friendly, breeds readily
Defense / stress signs
Curling, defensive secretion
Reproduction
Reproduction
Prolific in humid colonies
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDryness sensitivity
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine wild-caught
Good to know
- Beginner-friendly 'dragon' with yellow spikes running down its flanks.
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