Meet the animal
Archispirostreptus gigas is a large dark African millipede. Most double body segments carry two pairs of legs, but it does not have exactly one thousand legs. Giant millipede is also used for other species; confirm scientific identification.
Before you choose one
Plan a large adult, deep feeding substrate and a continuing supply of safe decayed hardwood leaves and wood. Ask about origin and existing food. Choose observation rather than repeated handling, and arrange experienced support for an unusual health concern.
Set up its home
The proposed layout is 90 × 45 × 45 cm for a body-length planning case around 33 cm. Start with roughly 15–20 cm of useful food substrate and review depth for the animal. Secure the lid and support décor separately from burrows. Avoid shallow coir-only housing.
Temperature and safe heating
Exact-species UK keeper guidance describes around 22–26°C. Measure conditions and preserve cooler substrate refuge. Do not use an unregulated mat beneath deep burrowing material or heat the entire floor. Older generic underside-mat advice is not adopted as the default.
Daylight, shade and UV
Provide ordinary daytime ambient light, shaded cover and darkness overnight. No mandatory UVB or numeric exposure target is established here. Observation lighting should not heat or dry the feeding substrate.
Water, moisture and airflow
Keeper guidance gives around 70–80% humidity, but damp usable deeper substrate and airflow need direct checks. Retain a drying surface and avoid waterlogging. Provide safe moisture access without deep open bowls. Do not excavate a moulting animal to inspect the depth.
Food and nutrition
Keep nutritious decayed leaves and suitable rotten hardwood as the permanent base, with modest vegetables and calcium. Reviewed flake soil may be useful once correctly prepared and no longer heating. Coir and vegetables alone do not replace substrate food. Remove fresh-food spoilage.
Behaviour and handling
Expect hidden burrowing and moulting periods. Do not dig out or force an animal to uncoil for display. Essential handling needs whole-body support without pulling grip free. Defensive secretions can irritate; wash hands and avoid contact with eyes and mouths.
Health and life stages
Persistent weakness, injury, unusual surface behaviour or moult problems need experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Check food-substrate quality and depth first. Associated mites need expert identification before intervention, rather than automatic removal or insecticide.
Buying and keeping records
Choose reliably identified A. gigas with documented origin and any supported captive-breeding records. UK availability does not certify every specimen’s origin. Confirm current import requirements and secure the food-substrate supply before buying.
Your care routine
Prepare deep mature food substrate and safe containment before arrival. Check food use, moisture and unusual losses regularly. Remove spoiled extras without disturbing hidden moults. Leave substrate and leaf-supply instructions for holiday care and avoid unreviewed enclosure companions.
YOUR CHECKLIST
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Giant African millipede — Archispirostreptus gigas
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/giant-african-millipede/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Millipede care (Amateur Entomologists' Society)
- UK species livestock listing (dated observation, not stock guarantee) (Repxotics)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Other references
Sources: Archispirostreptus gigas UK husbandry and identity (PostPods)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Giant African millipede, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Provide around 15-20 cm of useful food substrate, with verified retaining depth below doors or a secure designed substrate barrier. External tank height alone cannot establish that capacity; retain ventilation and safe supports. Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Zoo Med Turtle Bone — two-pack
TB-1; two natural cuttlebones, not a 100 g pack. Manufacturer lists cuttlebone as the sole ingredient.
Not a substitute for nutritious leaves, wood and the rest of the diet. Use only in the species-specific substrate/food plan. Prepare safely, keep free of contaminants and verify depth and moisture. This product alone does not provide the complete diet or habitat.
A plain supplemental calcium component for the listed detritivore plan. Check the delivered label and remove any packaging or holder. It does not replace decayed leaves, decomposed wood or a complete species-appropriate food substrate.
Also plan for: Keep nutritious decayed leaves and suitable rotten hardwood as the permanent base, with modest vegetables and calcium.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Equipment notes: Food and nutrition
Alternative equipment
Zoo Med Turtle Bone — two-pack
TB-1; two natural cuttlebones, not a 100 g pack. Manufacturer lists cuttlebone as the sole ingredient.
Not a substitute for nutritious leaves, wood and the rest of the diet. Use only in the species-specific substrate/food plan. Prepare safely, keep free of contaminants and verify depth and moisture. This product alone does not provide the complete diet or habitat.
A plain supplemental calcium component for the listed detritivore plan. Check the delivered label and remove any packaging or holder. It does not replace decayed leaves, decomposed wood or a complete species-appropriate food substrate.