Sp. 1 Tanzania

Tanzanian millipedes do best in a warm, humid enclosure that mimics a forest floor. Use a secure tank or plastic tub with good ventilation and a deep, nutrient‑rich substrate made from coconut fiber, organic topsoil (chemical‑free), rotted hardwood, and plenty of leaf litter and decaying wood. Aim for at least 3–4 inches of substrate so they can burrow fully and feel secure. Keep the substrate evenly moist but never waterlogged, and provide lots of hiding spots using cork bark, bark tunnels, and leaf piles. Maintain temperatures around 72–78°F (22–26°C) and humidity in the 70–90% range, avoiding direct sunlight and sudden temperature swings.

Tanzanian millipedes are primarily detritivores, feeding on decomposing leaves and rotting wood, but they should also be offered fresh foods a few times per week. Thin slices of cucumber, squash, carrot, or sweet potato, plus occasional small pieces of fruit, work well as supplements. Always provide a calcium source such as cuttlebone, crushed sterilized eggshell, or reptile‑safe calcium powder to support healthy exoskeletons and good molts. Remove uneaten fresh food before it molds, spot‑clean waste, and replace sections of substrate periodically rather than all at once. Handle them gently and infrequently—let them crawl onto your hand instead of grabbing—and wash your hands before and after handling, since they can secrete mild defensive chemicals.

Quick care bullet points – Tanzanian millipedes

• Enclosure: Secure, escape‑proof tub or tank with good ventilation

• Substrate depth: At least 3–4" of moist, organic mix (coco fiber, organic soil, rotted wood, leaf litter)

• Humidity: High (about 70–90%); keep substrate damp, not soggy

• Temperature: Around 72–78°F (22–26°C); avoid extremes and drafts

• Hides & decor: Cork bark, bark tubes, and thick leaf litter for cover

• Staple diet: Decomposing leaves, rotting wood, and bioactive substrate

• Fresh foods: Thin slices of cucumber, squash, carrot, sweet potato, and occasional fruit

• Calcium source: Cuttlebone, crushed sterilized eggshell, or reptile‑safe calcium powder

• Cleaning: Spot‑clean old food and waste; replace parts of substrate as needed

• Handling: Minimal and gentle; let them crawl onto your hand and wash hands before and after