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Invertebrates · SPECIES PROFILE

Giant Millipede

Archispirostreptus gigas

Decomposer dependent on leaf litter and rotting wood; the substrate itself serves as the primary food source.

Giant Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)
Images · CC BY-SA 3.0Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons
Advanced CareRequires More Preparation Update 2026-09-07
Editorial example · Pending Expert Review
Adult Length7.87–11.81 in
Reference Lifespan5–10 yr
Ambient Temperature Reference71.6–78.8 °F
Air Humidity70–80 %
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Ownership Score

Ownership Score

This is an edited estimate of lifestyle compatibility, not an animal value rating. A higher score indicates that, based on current data, the animal is easier to integrate into your daily routine.

53/100 · Requires careful assessment
Beginner suitability52
Handling8
Interactive15
Space67
Cost87
Maintenance66
Travel68
Veterinary Accessibility28
Safety62
RISK SIGNALS
Feeding difficulty 38Environmental control 38Escape risk 36Bite risk 42Toxicity risk 0Noise 99Odor 94Cleaning burden 34
LIFE FIT
Children and families 34Apartments 99Bedrooms 99Frequent travel 62

The composite score is calculated by weighting nine factors: beginner-friendliness, handling ease, interaction, space requirements, cost, maintenance, travel, veterinary access, and safety. Read risk signals according to field direction: lower scores for biting, escape, and toxicity indicate greater safety; higher scores for noise, odor, and cleaning indicate less hassle. Combine this page's environmental requirements and risk notes with your judgment; do not rely solely on the total score.

BEFORE YOU COMMIT

First check whether it fits your life

This brief brings together the space, maintenance, feeding, lifespan and veterinary conditions recorded on this page so you know what to verify next.

53/100 · Requires careful assessment

A better fit if

  • The living conditions need closer planning
  • Adult space is a threshold to solve before purchase
  • Daily maintenance requires a steady time commitment

Resolve these first

  • Molting window:Do not move or feed during the molting period; temporary inactivity is often natural behavior.
  • Confirm an exotic veterinarian and emergency route before purchase
Adult size
7.87–11.81 in
Reference Lifespan
5 to 10 years
Minimum space
Adult enclosure: 23.62 × 15.75 × 15.75 in, with sufficient depth for burrowing, using pesticide-free leaf litter and white rot hardwood.
Veterinary Accessibility
Very difficult

This is a comparison aid based on the current record, not a purchase, medical or local-law conclusion. Check the sources and local conditions before continuing.

THINGS OWNERS UNDERESTIMATE

Common Underestimations by Keepers

  • Molting windowDo not move or feed during the molting period; temporary inactivity is often natural behavior.
  • Safe handlingAppearing calm does not mean there is no risk; prepare tools, containers, and an allergy emergency plan first.
VETERINARY ACCESS

Veterinary Accessibility

Very difficult

Routine preventive care is infrequent; management relies primarily on husbandry and specialist consultation.

Extremely difficult; resources are limited when serious injury occurs.

Specialist Exotic Pet Care Typically Required
DATA STATUS

Where this record stands

Editorial example
Last updated
2026-09-07
Fields checked
No field review record yet
Reference sources
1 · Reference sources
Professional review
Pending veterinary or taxonomic review
Local rules
Local rules need verification

Source links are starting points for reading. A group-level guide does not verify every value for each species. Check local rules separately.

Basic Information

Native Distribution
East African tropical regions
Body Size and Diameter
Adult total length. For frogs, snout-vent length
Dietary Habits
Detritivore
Activity Cycle
Active mostly at night or dusk; minimize disturbance during molting.
Availability of Captive-Bred Individuals
Moderate
Temperament and Aggression
Startles into curling and may release irritating secretions.
Toxicity and Contact Risks
Defensive secretions irritate skin and mucous membranes; this is not a safe, non-toxic toy for handling. Contact Risks: Medium。
Socialization and Handling
Same-species housing is possible with sufficient resources, but quarantine must be established first.

Environmental Parameters

Temperature Gradient

Stable temperature; avoid direct sunlight and substrate overheating.

Humidity and Ventilation

70 to 80%. Substrate should remain moist but not waterlogged. A drier side can be provided.

Lighting and Circadian Rhythm

Diffuse ambient light; no basking lamp required.

Basking Spot / Localized Heat

Stable temperature; avoid direct sunlight and substrate overheating.

UVB Requirements

Diffuse ambient light; no basking lamp required.

Adult Space

Minimum: Adult enclosure: 23.62 × 15.75 × 15.75 in, with sufficient depth for burrowing, using pesticide-free leaf litter and white rot hardwood.
Recommended: Adult setup 23.62 × 15.75 × 15.75 in, with sufficient depth for burrowing, using pesticide-free leaf litter and white rot hardwood; recommended plan adds approximately 20% more substrate and hiding spaces on the minimum floor area to facilitate molting and cleaning.

Substrate and Water

Set depth according to needs of fossorial, burrowing, or decomposer species; avoid pesticides and fertilizers. · Use shallow water dishes or localized water sources; avoid standing water and drowning of juveniles.

These ranges are for planning the environment of a healthy adult, not a constant value for the entire enclosure, and do not cover disease, breeding, or juvenile stages.

Diet and Nutrition

Base diet of safe leaf litter and rotting wood, supplemented with small amounts of vegetables and calcium sources; promptly remove any spoiled fresh food.

Feeding Frequency
Typically every 1 to 2 weeks, pause and observe condition before and after molting.
Live Prey Requirement
Not Required
Rodent Pellets
Not Required

Enclosure and activity space

Adult enclosure: 23.62 × 15.75 × 15.75 in, with sufficient depth for burrowing, using pesticide-free leaf litter and white rot hardwood.

Dimensions are editor suggestions, not mandatory minimum standards in all regions. Group size, individual body size, and layout may require more space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is feeding only cucumber sufficient?

No; cucumber should only be a supplement. Lack of leaf litter and rotting wood will cause nutritional deficiencies.

Can I start keeping this animal based solely on this record?

No. This is a summary plan for a healthy adult. Juveniles, breeding periods, disease states, and regional climate variations require separate assessment.

Risks and Legality

  • Avoid pesticides, fertilizers, and unverified wood.
  • Before acquiring, verify reliable sources, long-term care capability, and local exotic animal veterinary resources.

Sources and editor notes

This page is a structured editing example and has not yet undergone field-by-field expert review. Reference links are for further consultation; data for some groups may not apply to every species. Please read the full manual before formal husbandry.

Petco Invertebrate Care Sheet

Further reading. Some entries are group data. Numerical values and spatial recommendations are compiled by editors and have not been reviewed field-by-field by experts.

View data scope and update methods ↗
SIMILAR SPECIES

Other options within the same group

Similar species does not mean they can be co-housed