CALCBIOME — MILLIPEDE CALCULATOR

What enclosure do your millipedes need?

Enclosure size, substrate depth and litres, leaf litter, calcium, temperature and humidity, by species, number and length.

10 SPECIESArchispirostreptus gigas, Telodeinopus aoutii, Anadenobolus, Narceus…
SUBSTRATEDepth and litres so they can molt underground.
CARECalcium, leaf litter, humidity, breeding.

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Your millipedes

Result

Keeping millipedes: the basic rules

Floor: at least 2–3 times the length of the largest one, in both directions.
Depth: at least the millipede’s length, because it molts underground.
Food: mostly leaf litter and rotten wood. Add fruit and calcium.
Humidity: damp deep down, slightly drier surface, good ventilation.
Patience: they often stay hidden. That is normal.

Guidelines for 3 adults

Species	Adult size	Floor	Depth	Temperature
Anadenobolus monilicornis	7 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	22–26 °C
Archispirostreptus gigas	28 cm	85 × 60 cm	25 cm	24–28 °C
Chicobolus spinigerus	10 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	22–26 °C
Epibolus pulchripes	10 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	24–28 °C
Narceus americanus	10 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	20–25 °C
Ophistreptus guineensis	18 cm	55 × 40 cm	18 cm	24–28 °C
Orthoporus ornatus	10 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	24–30 °C
Tachypodoiulus niger	4.5 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	15–22 °C
Telodeinopus aoutii	18 cm	55 × 40 cm	18 cm	24–28 °C
Trigoniulus corallinus	8 cm	30 × 20 cm	10 cm	22–27 °C

Average values. More room and more substrate is always better.

How we calculate

Group factor = √(number of millipedes ÷ 3). Up to 3 millipedes, it equals 1.
Enclosure length = 3 × the largest one’s length × factor, rounded up to the next 5 cm, at least 30 cm. Depth = 2 × length × factor, rounded up to the next 5 cm, at least 20 cm.
Substrate depth = the millipede’s length, rounded, between 10 and 25 cm. Height = substrate depth + 15 cm, rounded up to the next 5 cm.
Substrate (L) = length × depth × substrate depth ÷ 1,000, rounded up.
Leaf litter (L / month) = length × depth × 3 cm ÷ 1,000, rounded, at least 1 L.

Example

3 Archispirostreptus gigas, 28 cm long. Length = 3 × 28 = 84, rounded up to 85 cm; depth = 2 × 28 = 56, rounded up to 60 cm: an 85 × 60 cm floor. Substrate depth: 28 cm, capped at 25 cm, so height ≈ 40 cm. Substrate = 85 × 60 × 25 ÷ 1,000 = 127.5, so 128 L. Leaf litter: ≈ 15 L per month.

Sources: common keeping practice. These are guidelines: more space and more substrate are always better.

Frequently asked questions

What size enclosure for a giant millipede?

At least 3 times its length by 2 times its length of floor. For 3 Archispirostreptus gigas of 28 cm, the calculator gives 85 × 60 cm.

How deep should the substrate be?

About the millipede’s length, between 10 and 25 cm, because it moults underground. 25 cm is enough even for the largest.

What do millipedes eat?

Mostly leaf litter and rotten wood. Add fruit or vegetables 1–2 times a week, and keep calcium available at all times.

My millipede stays buried, is that a problem?

No. They moult in an underground chamber and can stay hidden for weeks: do not dig them up.

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