Pink-legged Millipede

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America. Inhabits moist forest floors under decaying wood and leaf piles.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Spirobolidae, genus Narceus. Also referred to as the American Giant Millipede or Pink-legged Millipede.

Behavior and Habits: Detritivorous, nocturnal, and sluggish. Docile; curls into a tight spiral when threatened and secretes a staining quinone defense fluid.

Morphology: Cylinder-shaped greyish-black body with reddish bands and vibrant pink legs. Males have specialized legs on the 7th segment (gonopods).

Terrarium Setup: An enclosure (minimum 30x30x30 cm). Substrate is critical: must be at least 12 cm deep, composed of organic soil, decaying hardwood leaves, and rotten wood.

Lighting and Heating: Keep temperatures at 21-27 °C. Room temperature is usually adequate. Never place heating mats under the tank as it dries out the soil.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity (70-80%). Spray with declorinated water. Soil should be damp like a wrung-out sponge. Provide a shallow water dish with pebbles.

Feeding and Supplementation: Primary food source is decaying leaf litter and wood. Supplement with squash, cucumber, carrots, and a dusting of calcium powder.

Compatibility: Extremely peaceful and social. Can be kept in groups or with other non-aggressive millipede species.

Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to dry air and chemicals. Ensure a constant supply of calcium and decaying wood for proper shell growth and molting.