The numbers
Enclosure
60 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Decaying wood & leaves; veg/fruit · Veg 2–3x/week; leaf litter always
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
70–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Spirostreptida
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Common hobby import
Adult size
15–22 cm
Lifespan
5–7 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Detritivore burrower
Temperament
Docile
Venom / defense
Harmless; secretes irritant defensive fluid — wash hands, avoid eyes
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
70–85%
Min. enclosure
60x30x30 cm for a group
Substrate
10–12 cm coco fibre + rotting wood + leaf litter
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Decaying wood & leaves; veg/fruit
Feeding frequency
Veg 2–3x/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; captive-bred available
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMites, dehydration, low-calcium molts
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports
Good to know
- One of the more readily captive-bred African giants in the hobby.
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