Giant African Millipede Factfile
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Scientific Name : Archispirostreptus gigas
World Distribution
This type of millipede is found widely throughout Western Africa.
Habitat
They are usually found in tropical and sub-tropical forests. They mainly live under leaf litter or in rotting logs, but sometimes they burrow into damp soil. If their habitat becomes too wet they drown because they are unable to close their spiracles (breathing tubes)
Feeding
They eat decaying leaves and other dead plant matter (such as roots and fruit). Millipedes are very useful recyclers, as the poo that they produce helps to fertilise the soil.
Predators
Birds, small mammals, frogs and reptiles will eat millipedes. However, most animals tend to be put off by the toxic liquid that millipedes squirt out when they are afraid. It tastes horrible and can burn the skin.
Breeding
The mating organs of millipedes are on their third segment, just behind their head! The female lays about a hundred eggs which hatch into short baby millipedes with only a few legs and segments. As they grow, they get more.