Run an internet search for “purchase Giant African Millipedes”. Once you have found some companies that sell them, do your background research. Read reviews of current customers. Look for a company that has a satisfied customer base. Make sure that the company has experience shipping Giant African Millipedes. You want to make sure that yours arrive safely. Giant African Millipedes are legal in the U. S. But if you live with your parents, it’s a good idea to ask permission before buying.
Depending on how many millipedes you have, you will need either a 5 or 10 gallon tank. Millipedes can live comfortably in groups, but they need space to stretch out and move around. The cage you purchase should be at least twice as long as your largest millipede. For example, if you have a 12 inch millipede, your cage should be 24 inches long. When the millipedes are babies, they can live comfortably in a small plastic container. Just make sure that there are air holes in the lid.
Make sure that your millipedes do not get too cold. They will not thrive in low temperatures. If necessary, you can purchase a heating pad to place under the cage. Ask an employee at the pet store for a recommendation. Keep the cage inside your house, not in a garage or in an outdoor garden shed.
Remove your millipedes to a temporary home. If you have a backup tank, that is best. Remove old food from the cage. Using a paper towel or cloth, wipe up any excrement that is on the floor of the tank. Using a mild soap as a cleanser, gently wipe down all surfaces of the tank. Dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. Clean more regularly if you have multiple millipedes sharing the same cage.
You can feed your millipedes a wide variety of produce. Try cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini. Giant African Millipedes will also eat grapes, yams, and apples. You can place the produce in the cage and the millipedes will eat it over the course of the day. Just add more food when they are running low.
You do not need to provide water unless the cage is in a very dry area. If you are concerned, you can soak some cotton wool in water and place that under the soil or moss. You can also use a spray bottle to mist water into the cage. Do this every couple of days.
Millipedes do not sting or bite. They will not harm you. If you have children, you can teach them to gently hold the millipedes. This will be a great learning experience. Millipedes often curl into a tight ball when scared. If this happens, place them gently back in their home.
Another warning sign to look for is remaining tightly curled. Millipedes curl up when they are scared or threatened. If it doesn’t relax, it may not feel well. Contact a zoo to ask how to treat an ill millipede. Since they are not native to the U. S. , many local vets won’t have experience handling them.
Giant African Millipedes have a typical lifespan of 5-7 years. Take this into account when considering purchasing some. They are not short-term pets. You should know that Giant African Millipedes will breed. It is very hard to tell whether you have a male or female, so don’t count on preventing breeding. Be prepared to buy additional cages if breeding occurs.
Contact the zoo nearest you and ask if they can provide you with information on Giant African Millipedes. You can also take a field trip to visit the bug exhibit at the zoo. Ask for additional tips about housing and feeding.
Join an online message board. You can talk to other millipede owners about their ideas and experiences.
