How to Care for Millipedes

Millipedes are very misunderstood. They do not have a million legs or even a thousand, but usually only between 200 to 300, though some species can have as many as 700. Also, while bigger than many insects, they are not dangerous and can, in fact, make great pets: They are smaller than traditional pets, cheap and relatively easy to care for. Plus, watching them crawl around inside their cage or on your skin provides a fascinating, eclectic and educational experience for the whole family.

Things You'll Need

  • Cage
  • Soil
  • Vegetable matter
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Instructions

  1. Cage

    • 1

      Find a container with a secure lid, ideally twice as long as the longest millipede.

    • 2

      Fill the container with at least five inches of a damp mixture of peat and sterilized compost so the millipedes can burrow.

    • 3

      Poke holes in the cage's lid, if necessary, then secure it tightly onto the cage. This is important since millipedes love to crawl and the lid will come off if not secure. Make enough holes for the millipedes to breathe, but few enough to maintain the moisture level of the bedding.

    • 4

      Change the bedding at least every 2 to 3 weeks. Change it immediately if you notice mold.

    Feeding

    • 5

      Feed your millipedes a variety of small pieces of fresh, soft fruits and vegetables, and leaf litter in varying states of decay to see what they like. Avoid feeding them too much iceberg lettuce as this has no nutritional value.

    • 6

      Replace food that has grown moldy or infested with mites or maggots. Cleanup can be made easier by putting food in a tilted jar with the open end facing down. The angle ensures millipedes will not drown in plant juices at the jar's bottom.

    • 7

      Make sure they get enough calcium, as millipedes require it to maintain their exoskeleton. Calcium supplements are available in most pet stores.