Giant African Millipede

Giant African Millipede, Archispirostreptus sp.

The Giant African Millipede is one of the largest millipedes in the world. While currently common in captivity, this will soon decline due to new USDA regulations. Not to be confused with the carnivorous, stinging centipede, the millipede is a harmless detritivore. While there is a difference in the number of legs between the two, the millipede does not actually have over a thousand legs. The curling behavior of the millipede is common, especially when threatened. Many millipedes then spray out a defensive chemical that other species have been known to take advantage of in terms of both a repellent and a narcotic high. They may live up to 7 years and grow to over 300mm in length. There is more than one species of Giant African Millipede, of which it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to tell the difference. Mites are commonly found on millipedes, but relatively unstudied to where it is still unclear whether the relationship is parasitism or mutualism.