Giant African Train Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Common Name	Giant African Train Millipede
Scientific Name	Archispirostreptus gigas
Origin	East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique)
Adult Size	25–30 cm
Lifespan	5–7 years
Activity	Nocturnal / crepuscular detritivore

Behavior

• Calm, slow-moving, and very docile.

• Primarily nocturnal; hides in substrate or leaf litter during the day.

• Rolls into a spiral when threatened; secretes a harmless defensive fluid.

• Social species; can be housed with others if space allows.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 40 liters for adults; larger for multiple millipedes

• Substrate: 8–15 cm layer of coconut fiber, leaf litter, or soil mix; keep slightly moist

• Decor: Logs, cork bark, rocks, leaf litter, moss

• Humidity: 75–85% (consistent moisture needed for molting)

• Temperature:

  • Day: 22–27°C

  • Night: 20–24°C

• Lighting: Indirect light; avoid bright lights

• Ventilation: Moderate airflow to prevent mold while maintaining humidity

Compatibility

• Social species; can house multiple millipedes together.

• Avoid aggressive or predatory arthropods.

• Non-aggressive toward other invertebrates that do not trigger stress.

Diet

• Detritivore; feeds primarily on decaying plant matter.

• Foods:

  • Leaf litter

  • Decayed vegetables and fruits (apple, carrot, cucumber)

  • Occasional calcium supplementation via cuttlebone or powdered calcium

• Feed small amounts daily; remove uneaten or moldy food promptly.

Care Tips

• Maintain consistently moist substrate for hydration and healthy molting.

• Provide hiding spaces with leaf litter or logs.

• Avoid overhandling; millipedes are delicate.

• Keep away from direct sunlight or excessive heat.

• Clean enclosure every 2–4 weeks; remove waste and mold.

Breeding

• Oviparous; lays eggs in substrate.

• Eggs hatch in 3–4 months depending on temperature and humidity.

• Juveniles are smaller versions of adults; require similar care with slightly higher humidity.

• Multiple juveniles can be housed together if space allows.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥40 L, moist substrate, hiding spots

• 🌡️ Temp: Day 22–27°C / Night 20–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 75–85%

• 🍴 Diet: Detritivore (leaf litter, vegetables, fruits)

• 🕒 Activity: Nocturnal / crepuscular

• ⚠️ Stress: Avoid handling; provide hides

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.