Bumblebee Millipede Starter Kit UK | Incl. 2x Live Millipedes

• Appearance: A. monilicornis are a smaller species of millipede with adults growing to 7-10cm and can be identified by the contrasting black/ dark brown and yellow bands on each body segment, amazing pink/red or black legs and antennae.

 

• How to discern gender: Both male and females are monomorphic, meaning they look the same, but can easily be sexed when they are a third of their adult size, by observing the underside of the seventh body segment. Females will have two pairs of legs on every body segment, but males will have small stump-like appendages called gonopods instead of a pair of legs.

 

• Origins: Bumblebee millipedes are native to the Caribbean islands but have since been introduced to southeast United States, particularly Florida, through the exotic plant industry.

 

• Behaviour: Bumblebee millipedes spend most of their time living in the substrate, consuming rotting wood and leaf litter and occasionally can be seen exploring the tank. When threatened, they will curl themselves up where the head, underside, and legs are protected by the hard exoskeleton, and can excrete toxic cyanide, although very rare for this species, which can be an irritant to sensitive skin.

 

• Enclosure: These millipedes will do well in a glass or plastic vivarium with ample ventilation that is at least three times the body size in length and depth, and two times the body size in width.

 

• Popular choice: These are one of the more sought-after species in the trade because of their bright colouration, docile nature, and small size, making them ideal for the beginner hobbyist!

• Adult size: 7-10cm
• Lifespan: 7 years
• Status: captive bred
• Place of Origin: native to Caribbean islands, spread to Southeast USA
• Temperature: 22-28˚C
• Humidity: 60-80%
• Diet: Hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel etc), rotten hardwood, moss, lichen, mushrooms, variety of fruit and vegetables (favourites include cucumber, squash, apple, banana), sepia/ calcium supplement, protein source (fish flakes, shrimp pellets, nutritional yeast)

The EntoScapes Way

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• We like keeping A. monilicornis between 22-23˚C and 70-80% humidity for best results.

 

• We suggest keeping the substrate damp (not soaking!) by misting when the top layer of substrate is dry, and provide plenty of decayed leaf litter and wood, bark pieces, moss, and hardwood branches with lichen. You can also provide them with seed pods for decor and enrichment. 

 

• We house our millipedes with springtails in a 40x30x30cm tank, which holds a deep layer of substrate and provides enough floor space for all inhabitants. You want to house any millipede with a substrate that is at least as deep as the millipede is long, and three times the millipedes length in floor space.

 

• When it comes to substrate, make sure you use a high-quality substrate that is full of white rotting hardwood and leaf litter as the food component, and organic topsoil, mushroom compost and moss mixed with some calcium sand as a filler component. The substrate should never have to be fully replenished, and we simply spot clean and provide more food component substrate or fresh leaf litter when needed.

 

• Supplement their diet with crushed cuttlebone or eggshells for calcium, as well as a good quality protein source like shrimp pellets for optimal health. Like many invertebrates one of their favourites is cucumber which we provide in slices and replace once completely eaten. Many breeders suggest providing fresh fruit/ veg and protein once every 2-3 weeks, but we find that millipedes will readily take these food sources once a week.

 

• Although millipedes prefer dark, damp conditions, it is important to maintain a regular 12-hour light cycle by placing the tank near a light source, such as another tank with an LED light, but never in direct sunlight as this will heat your tank to deadly temperatures. You can place a heat mat on the side of the tank, never the bottom, if your home is kept on the cool side.

 

• We often see our millipedes out during the day walking on cork bark and exploring their tank, so it is important to make the tank enriching and stimulating for your millipedes. The happier your millipedes are, the more rewarding they become as pet invertebrates!

• More in depth info on shipping and returns can be found on the shipping and T&Cs, and FAQ page

 

• Our shipping rates are determined by the total weight of your cart at checkout.

 

 

The shipping bands are:

• 0-1kg - £4.99

• 1-2kg - £5.99

• 2-10kg - £7.99

• 10kg+ - £9.99

 

• Live orders and dry goods will be posted every TUESDAY. We will contact you if anything changes due to bad weather or delays. 

 

• LIVE ORDERS- sent with Royal Mail Tracked 24 and usually arrive next day after dispatch 

 

• DRY GOODS & ENCLOSURES- sent with Royal Mail Tracked 48 and usually arrive 2 working days after dispatch. We will contact you regarding a dispatch day for enclosure orders.