Giant African Millipedes
Archispirostreptus gigas
Giant African millipedes are native to the subtropics of western African countries such as Sudan and down to Mozambique. These millipedes can range anywhere from four to twelve inches long, they have a rounded body with two antennae, a pair of simple eyes called “ocelli” and a mouth on the head segment of their body. Their name “millipede” implies that they have a thousand legs, but they only have three to four hundred legs. Millipedes and centipedes are often confused by each other, but there are simple ways to tell them apart. Millipedes have four sets of legs per body segment, are detritivores, and are considered mildly poisonous. Centipedes only have two legs per body segment, are carnivores, and are venomous. The largest difference is in appearance with millipedes having a rounder body with their short legs underneath them whereas centipedes look a little more bug-like with longer legs coming out of their bodies.
our current residents
The Millipede Colony, All Female- Hatch date Unknown
The Millipede Colony came to the zoo in 2023 from the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas. There are seven different individuals, all of whom we believe are females and are often called the “Girl Gang”.
You can get to know the colony better and meet them in person through our programs scheduled through the education department!
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Diplopoda
- Order: Spirostreptida
- Family: Spirostreptidae
- Genus: Archispirostreptus
- Species: Archispirostreptus gigas
Animal Facts
Detritivores: mainly eat dead or decaying organic matter, or fallen leaves and fruit
Population Status: currently listed as Least Concern
Habitat: warm, dark places along the forest floor
Activity: nocturnal- mostly active during the night