Archispirostreptus gigas

Archispirostreptus gigas belongs to the class Diplopoda (millipedes) and the order Spirostreptida. They originate from lowland and coastal forests in East Africa, principally Tanzania and Mozambique. Adults can reach up to 33 cm, making them one of the largest millipede species available in the hobby. Their bodies are glossy dark brown to black with a smooth, cylindrical profile, and their legs range from reddish-brown to dark orange.

Like all millipedes, A. gigas has diplosegments, meaning each visible body ring actually carries two pairs of legs rather than one. They are not born with their full complement of legs. Millipedes develop anamorphically, adding new segments and leg pairs with each successive moult throughout their lives. Younger individuals will have noticeably fewer segments than full-grown adults.

Temperament-wise, these are calm, slow-moving animals. They are mostly nocturnal, spending much of the day buried in substrate and becoming more active after dark. When disturbed they curl into a tight spiral and may release defensive secretions from glands along their body. These secretions contain benzoquinones, which can stain skin brown and irritate your eyes or mouth, so always wash your hands after handling. They are not venomous (that would be centipedes). In captivity, with good care, expect a lifespan of 5 to 7 years or more.

A. gigas needs a large enclosure with deep substrate. This is the single most important thing to get right. Substrate depth should be at least 10–15 cm, because they burrow to moult, regulate moisture, and lay eggs. If the substrate is too shallow they cannot moult safely, and failed moults are usually fatal.

For substrate, mix organic topsoil (peat-free), well-rotted hardwood (oak, beech, or birch), dried leaf litter, and sphagnum moss. The rotting wood is a food source, not just bedding. Add crushed cuttlebone or eggshell throughout the mix and leave a piece of cuttlebone on the surface permanently. Calcium is not optional — they need it to harden their exoskeleton after every moult. Never use softwood of any kind. Cedar, pine, and spruce contain phenols and terpenes that are toxic to millipedes.

Keep temperature at 20–25°C and humidity at 75–85%. Mist the enclosure regularly but don't waterlog it. Ventilation should be moderate: enough airflow to prevent mould, but not so much that the substrate dries out. A glass or plastic enclosure with small vents works well. Avoid fully mesh lids.

For feeding, the substrate and leaf litter form the bulk of their diet. Supplement with fresh vegetables (cucumber, courgette, sweet potato, butternut squash), fruit in small amounts (banana, melon), mushrooms, and the occasional pinch of fish flakes for protein. Remove uneaten fresh food within a couple of days to avoid mite build-up.

When handling, support the full length of the body and let them walk hand over hand. Never let the front half dangle unsupported. If they curl up, set them down and wait. Wash your hands afterwards because of the benzoquinone secretions. Don't handle them during or shortly after a moult — the new exoskeleton needs time to harden.

Common problems include grain mites (usually harmless but a sign of overfeeding fresh food) and failed moults from insufficient humidity or calcium. If you keep the substrate deep, moist, and calcium-rich, most issues are preventable.

For the full setup guide, see our A. gigas care guide or our general millipede care guide.

Your millipede will be packed in a ventilated container with damp substrate and sphagnum moss to maintain humidity during transit. Millipedes are sensitive to cold, so during autumn and winter we include heat packs to keep the temperature stable. All orders go via tracked next-day delivery.

When your millipede arrives, place the container inside the enclosure and open it gently. Let the animal move out in its own time, then leave it undisturbed for at least 24 hours to settle in. Don't handle it on the first day.

All live animals are covered by our live arrival guarantee. If there's a problem on arrival, get in touch with a photo within 2 hours of delivery and we'll sort it out.