Compared to centipedes, millipedes are gentle, harmless, and harmless.Contrary to popular belief, millipedes are actually arthropods and not insects.You can take care of a millipede for over 3 years with careful attention to its diet, habitat, and health.
Step 1: The 5 US gal aquarium has no holes or a lid.
Make sure your dog can breathe.Ensure that the top of the tank is at least three times as tall as the length of your millipede or big enough for it to be happy by covering it.It is best to keep the top covered because it is easy to stretch and climb.If you want to keep more than one, use a larger tank.If you want the tank to be three times as long as the length of your millipedes combined, you should aim for that.
Step 2: Moss or bark can be mulched at the bottom of the enclosure.
moist mulch is needed to thrive.The best thing to use is a mix of fresh moss and bark lightly soaked in water, but there are specialty substrates available from most insect-oriented pet stores.Before you add other features, add a layer of mulch to the bottom of the enclosure.
Step 3: Provide a hiding spot for your millipede so it feels safe in its home.
Every now and again, animals are scared of big creatures, and millipedes are no exception.If you want to hide from loud noises and bright lights, give it an old broken vase or a plastic dome.Natural elements and dead wood can be used as decorations in the enclosure as well as hiding places for your pet.This will make the enclosure look nicer to an observer, and will provide scenery for your millipede to climb on and hide in.
Step 4: The temperature can be kept at 65–75 F with a heating lamp or mat.
Mild, moist, and dark environments are where millets are used.If you want to replicate its natural habitat, keep the temperature in the cage at a comfortable 65 F (18C), with a heating lamp or a heat mat placed underneath one half of the layer of mulch.If you leave a heating lamp on at a high heat level, it will make the enclosure unsuitable for your millipede.To provide a consistent but gentle warmth, adjust the heating lamp and keep a careful watch on the enclosure temperature.
Step 5: There is a red light in the enclosure.
Don't use a bright light to light the enclosure, as bright lights can scare your millipede into hiding.A red light emits a different wavelength of light that is suitable for creatures that used to live in caves and darkness.
Step 6: Keep the same species, but separate different ones.
It's perfectly fine to keep the same species in the exact same enclosure, because they may breed and make a little family.You must keep them separate from each other as they will fight for dominance and resources.If you only have one enclosure, you can use a glass divider or metal sheet to separate it.It's a good idea to make sure that each half of the enclosure provides enough room for your millipede to feel comfortable.
Step 7: Provide plenty of vegetables, fruit, leaves, and wood for your pet.
Depending on the species, millets will eat many different foods.Some millipedes only eat leaves and wood, while others will eat anything you give them.They'll only eat what they need to be nourished, so feel free to spread lots of options around the cage, and give them a few different options.After a few days of providing various foods, it is a good idea to see what your pet has been eating and avoiding.It should be given less of the food it doesn't eat and more of its favorites to keep it healthy.
Step 8: There is a shallow bowl filled with rocks.
Add a layer of rocks to the bottom of the bowl by filling it with water.This will make it difficult for your millipede to drown in the water, as it will stand on the rocks and drink from the surface.It is important that the water is chlorine free because even a small amount of contaminant could cause serious health effects.If you don't know if your town adds chlorine to the water, you should boil it.
Step 9: Throw away anything that isn't food and replace it with water daily.
When food starts to rot in the cage, take the food out and keep a close eye on them.The water should be changed daily so that it has the best quality.Changing the water daily can help prevent the growth of fungi in the enclosure as they will be removed regularly.
Step 10: The enclosure needs to be cleaned and the mulch replaced weekly.
While you clean, keep your millipede in a sealed plastic container.Take everything out of the habitat and wipe it down with a rag soaked in 3% bleach solution.If you want to wash the bleach away, use a rag soaked in water.The mulch should be thrown away and replaced with a fresh, clean layer.bleach can be harmful to your millipede's health, even at a low concentration.Before you put things back into the habitat, make sure you wiped away the remnants of the bleach solution.
Step 11: Make sure your pet is eating and moving around.
They are nocturnal animals and don't do much during the day.You should check on your millipede a few times a day to see if it is moving around normally.It may not be getting the nutrition it needs if it stays in the same place for too long.Make sure your species of millipede gets enough food and water on a daily basis.Some millipedes prefer fruits and veggies, others prefer rotting wood and plant matter, but feeding the wrong type of food could make them sleepy.
Step 12: It's a good idea to look for growth in the enclosure.
If there is any mold growth, check the enclosure every time you clean it.Change your mulch type if there is a possibility, and clean it with a 3% bleach solution.Don't forget to clean the water out and keep a close eye on the sides of the enclosure for mold growth during the week.If you notice mold growth before the weekly cleaning, you will have to clean it to prevent any health effects.If you want to prevent mold growth in the water bowl as well as soak the mulch, use purified water.
Step 13: Take your millipede out of its habitat for a while.
Millipedes are scared of people.When you want to interact with it, keep it away from bright lights, and don't take it out for too long during the day.Pick up your millipede from the bottom of your hand if you want to handle it.The pinching motion can be used to pick up your millipede.If you squeeze too hard, you risk rupturing the body segments.