Care Sheet for

American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus

General Information

The American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) is the largest millipede in North America, growing up to 4 inches in length. It is a native detritivore, meaning that it helps to break down decaying organic matter. American giant millipedes are also relatively low-maintenance pets, making them a good choice for first-time exotic pet owners.

Housing

American giant millipedes require a humid environment, so you will need to provide them with a terrarium or enclosure with a damp substrate. A good substrate mix for American giant millipedes is equal parts coco fiber, peat moss, and sand. The terrarium or enclosure should also be large enough to allow your millipede to move around comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to provide a terrarium or enclosure that is at least 3 times the length of your millipede.

Temperature and Humidity

American giant millipedes prefer a temperature range of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 70-80%. You can maintain the humidity in your millipede’s terrarium or enclosure by misting it regularly. You can also use a humidifier to help maintain humidity levels.

Substrate
The best substrate to use is our Ultra Substrate, which contains all the organics needed for mealworms to be happy and live a long life. Be careful buying substrate from other sources or making your own, coco peat causes deadly impaction in millipedes.

Diet

American giant millipedes are detritivores, so their diet should consist of decaying organic matter. A good diet for American giant millipedes includes:

• Rotting wood
• Leaves
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Commercial millipede food