Giant African Millipede

The Giant African Millipede is a gentle giant of the invertebrate world—and one of the largest millipedes on Earth! These fascinating critters can grow up to 12 inches long and have a smooth, shiny, dark brown to black body that looks like it’s made of polished armor. Despite the name, they don’t actually have a thousand legs—but they do have hundreds! Each body segment has two pairs of legs, and when they move, it looks like a tiny wave rippling down their long, segmented bodies.

These millipedes are native to the tropical forests of central and eastern Africa, where it’s warm, damp, and full of rotting plant material—just how they like it! They spend most of their time crawling through leaf litter and soil, helping to break down dead plants and return nutrients to the earth. They prefer moist environments and will burrow underground or hide under logs to stay cool and safe from predators. Their dark, shiny shells help them blend into the forest floor, while their size makes them a standout when spotted.

Giant African Millipedes are detritivores, meaning they feed on decaying plant matter—nature’s cleanup crew! They use their strong, scoop-like mouthparts to munch on leaves, fruits, and wood that has started to break down. When threatened, they don’t bite or sting; instead, they curl into a tight coil and may release a harmless but smelly fluid to discourage predators. In the wild, they’re important for soil health, and in zoos, they’re loved for their calm nature and cool movements. Visitors are often amazed by how peaceful and helpful these “creepy crawlies” really are!

Giant African Millipede

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