Ivory Millipede

Ivory Millipede Care Guide

Another name for the ivory millipede is the chicobolus spinigerus. It is named after its ivory white color on its sides. They are one of the easiest giant millipede species to preserve.

They are beautiful and hardy, and do not require any difficult skill preservation but need good care. All you have to do for them is to provide a suitable enclosure, create a conducive environment for them and feed them with healthy and nutritious food.

Come on, let’s delve a little bit deeper into their world!

Size, Appearance, And Behavior

Generally, all ivory Millipede grow up to 7.5cm 3inches, while some females can reach up to 10cm 4 inches Most times, the males are usually smaller in size, say between 4cm and 8.5cm.

The ivory millipede has a color that looks like a dark grey with dark brown bands around each segment. This species has quite some color variation; some are darker than others.

On each body segment, they have two pairs of feet. One trait of this ivory millipede is that the older they get, the more contrast and color they acquire.

These millipedes are known to be more active than other millipede species. It is so intriguing to watch them moving about with their many legs, minding their business.

They are not dangerous insects; they don’t sting, attack, bite or injure humans. They only secrete brown fluids when they feel threatened.

The fluids can irritate the skin or leave stain marks on your clothes. They are docile and need to be handled carefully as they don’t like to be petted, handled, or touched.

Caring For Ivory Millipede

• Habitat

To preserve them,  start with good housing; all they need is just a proper-sized enclosure. They are floor dwelling species meaning the floor space is very vital than the height of any enclosure.

If you want to house them in groups, I’d recommend a 24″ X 18″ enclosure; this will be enough to accomodate a group of 10 ivory millipedes. Note that they easily breed. For individual Millipede, an enclosure of 30cm X 20cm is recommended.

The recommended height of the enclosure should be one(1) times the body length. Alternatively, use any available aquarium tank or a plastic container box that comes with a customized lid for securing.

• Substrates

With a good layer of quality substrate, they will stay healthy, and never get old. The substrate should be 2″ (5cm) thick or even more.

For the base part, you can use coconut fiber or eco earth; they are consistent, clean, and cheap in structure. Organic compost, potting soil, and topsoil also work best for substrates.

For the food component, add wood and leaves from hardwood tree species like beech, oak, birch, etc.

• Feeding

This ivory millipede loves to deed on decomposing leaves and woods, this makes up all their diet. Just make sure you remove any uneaten meals once it starts to get moldy.

They enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits as well as leftovers since they provide the right source of nutrients and calcium.

• Temperature And Humidity

They should be preserved at a temperature of 72°F-78°F(22°C-26°C) with a humidity of 70%. To avoid higher temperatures, use a low-voltage heating pad to quickly dry the habitat and the substrate.

Are They Good Feeders?

Yes, they are pretty good feeders. They feed on supplemental food often like dried cat food, baby food supplement, cucumber, etc. Just feed them with the right meals and watch them grow.