Ivory Millipedes: The Best Pet Invertebrate?

[@abizarrebazaar3814]

Super super excited about your channel! Specially this video, the isopod series and I just got my first Tiger centipede that I'm keeping. I've had many visitors. I live in Bisbee Az right on the border (less than three miles from a port of entry). Vinegaroons also flood my house right before and during the monsoon. Not sure if they hate the hard rains or breeding frenzy perhaps? But I like five of those this past monsoon in separate tanks of course. Only had 1 female out of many males actually make an appearance inside however. LOVE THE Videos AND awesome advice!

[@Aquarimax]

I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying the channel, Josh! I would love to visit Arizona...so many amazing invertebrates and herps!

[@lexprontera8325]

Bisbee, you say? That is one awesome town. You've got some badass funny neighbors ; )

[@fansiderc9302]

I have been looking at getting a group for a while now. I love how active they are at the surface and their pattern is SO beautiful.

[@Aquarimax]

Larisa Pfleegor They may be the most beautiful native millipede...I hope you get some!

[@fansiderc9302]

Aquarimax Pets working on moving things around and setting up the new 270 lizard enclosure for my blue tongue skink. I have percellio scaber Dalmatian in a 15 gallon display tank as well as my culture bins. When I get these guys they will also be in a display tank as well. Want to show case how beautiful these guys are.

[@Aquarimax]

Larisa Pfleegor I love that you use display enclosures for creatures like this....they really deserve to be showcased. 👍

[@fansiderc9302]

Aquarimax Pets I just uploaded my first video on here for my porcellio scaber dalmatian. It is short though.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

super beautiful and so big as an adult. Growing up in Wisconsin all we had was the darker variety that maybe got an inch or so in total length...same in Montana and northern New Mexico...so great that you share critters I would probably never see otherwise. Thanks Rus!

[@Aquarimax]

Sean Meister In my area, all I have are the tiny ones too. The large desert millipedes exist a few hours’ drive south, but I have never seen one in the wild. I am glad we have a few large species in the US 👍

[@k2a2l2]

i cant wait to get mine:,) theyre the perfect size and so cool for how affordable they are. very underrated pets id say

[@toughmanrandysavage3077]

I really wish there was a milipede the size of a dog lol.

[@Aquarimax]

TOUGH MAN RANDY SAVAGE that would be pretty fun. There used to be millipede-like creatures even bigger (Arthropleura), millions of years ago.

[@ultrademigod]

You're about 300 million years too late.

[@_kkv_]

I personally don’t like dogs but then I could ride a spaghetti lol

[@admiralinvertebrate5649]

There were millipedes that big 300 million years ago.

[@admiralinvertebrate5649]

There were millipedes that big 300 million years ago.

[@rifqah_hanaa4608]

This video helped me make the decision to get my first millipedes! My four ivory millipedes came home Thursday, and they are settled in happily, burrowing and eating everything in sight. Thanks Rus!

[@glorytalbott5500]

I like the look of the smoky oaks the best since they are chunky, lazy, and funny (but so shy), however the ivories get an A+ on personality and activity! I love watching my wonderful ivories. They are always doing something on the surface!

[@TheHPExperiment]

I generally hate bugs and am super scared of them. But I think millipedes are adorable. I somehow didn't realize that you could keep them as pets and now I'm contemplating getting one. These ivory ones are beautiful.

[@Aquarimax]

I'm glad you can see their beauty as I do. Ivories are definitely one of the most beautiful types.

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

How dare you make something with so many legs look so cute lol

[@Aquarimax]

Taevian's World of Reptiles! 🤣

[@MoultrieGeek]

Great, something else to add to my "must have" list. Thanks for sharing these amazing creatures with us.

[@Aquarimax]

Scott H you’re so welcome! A great millipede to have for sure!

[@MalloryMinerva]

Millipedes of any type are easily top tier arthropods; they're arguably as good as it gets for keeping them due to being room temp detritovores, and they're great for breeding, and wonderful for handling, and just plain cool.

[@elizabethallstaedt722]

Today while removing some cardboard that I had used to cover a future garden plot, I discovered Rusty millipeds. I collected quite a few and immediately googled information to find out what I had found. I didn't know there was so many people interested in keeping them as pets. This is cool. I recently was given Red Wiggler compost worms too.

[@Aquarimax]

Elizabeth Allstaedt I’ve kept rusty millipedes, they are quite hardy and East to breed. A fun species! I have composted with red wrigglers too...quite the industrious little annelids!

[@scott5203]

I absolutely love these videos and all of your “best pet” videos. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

[@Aquarimax]

That you, Scott! Feedback like your helps keep me going! 👍

[@cassieclover99]

I never thought I would consider a millipede as a pet before this video! they are gorgeous and gentle. my only questions is do they prefer to be kept communally or can I just keep one or two together? Would one be content by itself? Thanks and I am loving this series! It has made me consider so many different invertebrates as pets and gain an appreciation for all different types of animals.

[@Aquarimax]

Cassie Hall I really appreciate the positive feedback! You could keep just one or two, that would be fine. 👍

[@elizabethallstaedt722]

Cassie I think they need a friend. Two minimum.

[@cassieclover99]

@@elizabethallstaedt722 I think so too. the more the better anyways(:

[@glorytalbott5500]

You may think you want just one or two...millipedes are addicting though! I started out with two. And now I have 40 or 50-they didn't breed (yet) but I just kept buying more and more. Some people sell them by the lot. They make me happy though and are low maintenance pets!

[@wmd40]

They're so cute 😍 that big female is so adorable

[@crittergirl3647]

For checking if the enclosure needs more water, I like to use a soil moisture tester, like those used with potted plants. Inserting the metal rod into the moist side of the enclosure (I keep one side drier, where I feed them) allows me to determine how wet the substrate is at various depths. The testers are very inexpensive online. P.S. Love the Mosquito Bits tip of soaking them in the water!

[@Aquarimax]

I love your soil tester tip too! 👍

[@gami6chocho]

This video fully convinced me to buy a pet Ivory, I've been super afraid of bugs for years and I knew it wasn't a fear doing me any good, and this is an important step for me learning to respect bugs more!!! Thank you for helping me with my new pet!!!

[@readingroomcafeproject]

these guys are going on my wish list! thanks so much

[@thelialucas3301]

I needed this video, I’ll be getting 2 ivory millipedes next week and I’m doing my research right now. This video was amazing in explaining how to care for them. Thank you!

[@kwkelsey]

Your videos are always so informative, you cover things most don’t.

[@Aquarimax]

Kritterswithkelsey I really appreciate that!

[@WisdomCalls]

Love the idea of the smoker wood pellets. These are so cool. I recently started keeping isopods and they are so cool. Loving the idea of pet millipedes!

[@jonbliss6396]

My god they are such cute and amazing little creatures

[@Crystalspets]

Those are so cool there on my future list thats for sure great video rus love your videos

[@rjrobinson9067]

Same! This gorgeous specimen is a must have if you're keeping millipedes 😁 this is my first time seeing them. We have 4 diff kinds so far.

[@Aquarimax]

Crystal's pets&plants you’re u’ll love them Crystal! Thanks for your support! 👍

[@Aquarimax]

RJ Robinson Awesome! Which species do you have?

[@rjrobinson9067]

Bumble Bee, North American, Sonoran Desert, Oklahoma Brown.

[@Aquarimax]

RJ Robinson that’s great!

[@knox-so2sw]

I watched this very interesting video because I’m getting a couple of Ivory millipedes and this was very very helpful thank you for creating this video I have learned a lot 👍

[@kai_maceration]

I've been thinking of getting millipedes when I grown up and get my own place, they're so cute and seem easy to care for. This video was very helpful to me, I think some day I'll keep ivory millipedes!

[@SuperSunnyday2009]

I love my ivory millies they have bred n bred and I love them all so much but time to sell some 🤣🤣🤣🤣 and the Dad loves all the babies he hangs out with them and sleeps with them too quite often I see a huge group of babies and dad all huddled in a heap sleeping curled up , so sweet I thought

[@Aquarimax]

Lisa Lewis I love that they are so communal! How many do you have?

[@SuperSunnyday2009]

@@Aquarimax about 200

[@Aquarimax]

Lisa Lewis that is quite the co,only you’ve got there! 👍

[@HammboneBob]

8:04 "Milling about" ah man, that's good.

[@carleyjones7324]

I love learning about these neat little guys! I’d love to see videos about more magnificent millipedes 💛

[@emilywilson3963]

I just got some of these! I think they are absolutely beautiful!

[@BlueyedFolk]

I love mine! they are so fun to watch and are so easy to take care of

[@Aquarimax]

Felicia MacSheoinin I am glad you enjoy them like I do!

[@bowwowers]

I personally think that any pet millipede is the best invertebrate pet!

[@chrisrandom1404]

Interesting species. The colors and patterns look beautiful.

[@Aquarimax]

Chris Random Thank you! I feel the same way

[@SupremeGecko]

Fantastic video again. I would tend to agree that ivories are right up there. The segment where you test the substrate for moisture content is such a key!

[@Aquarimax]

Supreme Gecko Thank you Wally! I think proper moisture levels in the substrate are one of the most overlooked aspects of millipede-isopod care 👍

[@SupremeGecko]

@@Aquarimax Completely agree.

[@VocaPigeon]

Such a gorgeous millipede oh my gosh!! So shiny too :D

[@Radersdorf]

Klasse, die sehen ja lustig aus. Eine wirkliche schöne Art.

[@cwunshine]

SOOOO informative!! Thanks so much for posting :))

[@vrme4420]

Great and informative video! It really helped me when choosing my first invertebrate. Today eight of these beautiful creatures moved into their terrarium. I also used your recipe for the substrate. The store where I bought the terrarium adviced me to wait two weeks before I added springtails, but I put them in at the same time as the millipedes. Hopefully they will conquer any unwanted guests.

[@Aquarimax]

Glad it was helpful! I actually recommend putting springtails in before the millipedes if possible, but you should be ok.

[@c1a2t3a4p5i6l7l8a9r]

I love millipedes I always thought of them as little train animals but I never knew there was so much diversity with the genus. I'm mostly found them under rocks and cruising around on the side of the road at night and I tend to watch them.

[@gigahorse1475]

Little train animals 🥹❤🚂

[@mikeycityify]

Another great addition to your vids!

[@meganma5261]

LOVE Ivory millipedes. I actually have two of them, one is a purple phase. Do you think it'll be possible to mate a purple phase female and a regular Ivory male?

[@Aquarimax]

Megan Ma you have great taste! I am almost certain they could successfully breed. 👍

[@thedanger8919]

It's been 8 months. Did they breed?

[@lillyaarhaus9368]

I am getting some bumblebee millepedes :) and the items you put in the description are very helpful

[@leoe745]

Great information! I plan on getting a millepede and I think I may have found the specific one I want 😄 I love the ivory millepede!

[@Aquarimax]

This species is hard to beat !

[@xphos4762]

I was waiting for this video :D!

[@Aquarimax]

Xphos glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@phil3299]

Russ, Can you help me with Millipede substrate? My soil mix: 1. Organic compost, 2. Thick hardwood leaves crumbled and mixed in, 3. Human grade Calcium carbonate, and 4. Wood pellet crumbles. Do we add charcoal and garden lime like isopod substrate too?

[@Aquarimax]

Sounds like you are off to a great start, the calcium carbonate and garden lime are doing essentially the same thing, so no need to add the last two. The first four ingredients should do the trick!

[@andrewcannon205]

All Millipedes are cool. I have several species.

[@motherlarkspur4506]

I'm looking into buying an Ivory! I had one greenhouse millipede who recently passed, and now that the grieving process is over I'm looking for a Jason #2. How should I keep the substrate moistened? Do I spray it, or do you do it some other way? Also, do Ivories do well with live plants? I know Jason enjoyed them.

[@Aquarimax]

Larkspur Sucks at Art you can pour water into one side of the substrate. I have never tried ivories with live plants. If you can meet the substrate needs of the millipedes as well as the light and substrate needs of the millipede, it should be fine.

[@Silasthefishstick]

I’ve got a question can u train millipedes like dogs and cats? Like how I do it with my cat I do a hand motion for example come and I place them near me and keep doing that until it happens idk if they’re brains brain like that but just a thought

[@mmateo8550]

Thanks for the video! Ivories are just beautiful! I was wondering what protein would you suggest for millipedes? I have a Sonoran desert millipede that always nibbles on me, would feeding it more protein lessen that?

[@Aquarimax]

Marielle Mateo Thank you! I would recommend fish food pellets as a protein source. I use Omega One myself. It is high in protein, and may lessen the nibbling.

[@floyd4611]

Yes!

[@FusionDeveloper]

11:30 wise words. This is not specific to millipedes, this goes for any time you have that kind of setup for anything. Plants, pets, terrarium, whatever. Seal it and fine cloth all the vent holes. You can super glue it. If you want, you can use a fine screen on the pet side and a cloth screen on the outside. This keeps the bugs out, and keeps the puts from walking on the super thin cloth (like a dollar tree super thin scarf), which is probably more fragile.

[@Aquarimax]

Fusion Developer Good points! Fungus gnats will find almost any damp substrate if you don’t take precautions.

[@GatorDave]

These look awesome! I love the pattern and colors! Rus can these be housed together with Isopods?

[@Aquarimax]

Gator Dave thanks man! It is not recommended to house them with isopods, as molting millipedes can become isopods’ snacks. 😳

[@GatorDave]

Aquarimax Pets whoa that would be awful! Good to know lol

[@macarmenadoree]

This is such a great video! I'm really interested in getting millipedes, though I was looking more at bumblebees -- how do they compare? Are they as easy to keep and top active?

[@Aquarimax]

macarmenadoree Bumblebees are easy to keep too (as long as they are kept between 72 -80 F) but they are not as surface active, at least not in the daytime. They are pretty active at night. I will eventually do a bumblebee video too 👍

[@thejuggernaut3778]

How many millipedes would you suggest to start a colony? Just for fun, no other uses really, but I do want to see the colony grow. Love you channel. Helped me out so much with my isopods, so now I'm thinking of some of these little guys.

[@Shaden0040]

Fungus gnats can be controlled by having a mexican Butterwort plant which is carnivorous half the year from spring to fall and non carnivorous from fall to spring. They grow wild from Mexico to Oregon.

[@geoffrafterman8162]

Woah, those are some seriously pretty milllipedes. They kind of just look like long pillbugs lol. Have you tried housing them with isopods? They would look really cool in a communal with zebra isopods!

[@gigahorse1475]

How do you moisten the soil? I used a handheld spray bottle with distilled water. I moistened it many times each day. I’m concerned about how the depths of the soil will get moist enough without utterly soaking the top. My millipedes died because I dehydrated them by accident (too much ventilation is likely why the soil didn’t stay moist despite my dedicated spraying). I think when I start out I will keep a water dish with pebbles because I’m so afraid of dehydrating them if I ever get more. It was a sad experience. 😔

[@Aquarimax]

Sorry to hear about your sad experience 😢The balance of hydration can definitely take a little fine tuning. I generally use a squirt bottle rather than misting. Ivory millipedes like the soil just slightly moist…too dry is dangerous, but so is too moist. If the substrate is just damp enough so that you can squeeze a handful and feel a bit of moisture but no see any drops form, that is about right.

[@joshdoe7288]

This series is super similar to Clints reptiles best pet reptiles series. Not mad about it and I’m sure he wouldn’t be eaiether it’s a great series good job bro

[@Aquarimax]

“The best X”is a very common SEO format on KZbin and the Internet in general. Clint makes marvelous videos, I watch them all the time! Glad you like the series! 😊👍

[@rjrobinson9067]

They are beautiful!!

[@thehorse4298]

What a beauty

[@Aquarimax]

Thank you! 👍

[@ysa6857]

Do you know if the scarlet millipedes are much out in the surface too, like ivories?

[@GothMusicLatinAmerica]

They're cuties

[@Vydonis]

Can we keep Zebra Isopods, Springtails and these Millepedes among herbavore Beetles in the same enclosure? (Removing excess food to allow all to feed). Glass enclosure, 30gal. Gnats are not an issue in my area.

[@mariahg711]

Hey there! Where is your favorite source/brand for organic compost? I’ve heard some brands do have a minimal amount of pesticides and I’m fearful that could harm my millipedes😭

[@jofego0112]

One of my spirostreptus spec 8 is also always munching on my finger when i take it out Thats actually realy cute 😍

[@Aquarimax]

JoFeGo 01 I think so too!

[@IllusionQueen4Eva]

My male N. americanus always nibbles on me and it hurts. I only let him chew on one specific spot for 4-5 times before I have to stop him. He left a mark on my arm that lasted a while. I honestly thought it was going to become a permanent scar.

[@Djingoclottates]

Very nice video, really interested in ivory millipedes. I work at a bbq store, are Traeger pellets fine for millipedes? Because those are the only ones we carry

[@Aquarimax]

Traeger oak pellets are perfect!

[@chrisshanks4934]

when i buy crickets for my tarantulas there's always a few dead bodies in the tube. Could i feed them to millipedes?

[@Aquarimax]

Possibly, some millipede species might snack on them, but personally I would be concerned that pet store crickets might introduce something unsavory to your millipedes.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

very nice

[@PrincessPieGirlRotation]

Hi, first time millipede owner here: what humidity level is best for ivory millipedes? In my research, I’ve found anywhere from 60-80% but I’d like a more concrete answer from someone who’s had experience caring for ivory millipedes. Also, is it enough to just daily mist the surface layer of substrate, leaves, and moss? Or at some point, should I re-mist the entire amount of substrate in the vivarium? Thanks!

[@Aquarimax]

As long as you keep the substrate suitably moist, the millipedes should do well. This being the case, to be honest I don’t measure humidity levels for them. Generally, sufficient surface misting in a millipede container will equalize throughout the substrate.

[@PrincessPieGirlRotation]

@@Aquarimax thanks!

[@leoe745]

I would like to care for an ivory millipede; however, I live in Illinois where it snows. I’m not sure where I am supposed to be getting decayed leaves when winter rolls around 😅 Is it acceptable/ a good idea to just store leaves in maybe ziplock bags for over the winter (in the case that I need to change the leaves of course). Any advice on this would be great. Thank you.

[@Aquarimax]

I store dried leaves in bags all winter, and it works well.

[@MrEFynn]

i Love ivory millipedes

[@Aquarimax]

Mr. E. Fynn me too!

[@mashmeloazul]

I really want some Millipedes but i have no idea where to get them, unfortunately i dont seem to find them anywhere in portugal.

[@richardh1764]

Morning wood means something else to me 😂

[@CutThroat_Kid]

Can I use plain sawdust? i’m talking about like the hamster pellets made out of sawdust because I have a bag of those laying around. The wood type is unspecified lol.

[@wandapercival1482]

Does it matter if the alder pellets are flavored?? I can’t find plain alder anywhere and I’m worried the flavoring could be dangerous for them

[@johnschmeising5787]

Do you ever have problems with mold i. The substrate? Where I live in the northwest mold grows pretty aggressively on moist organic stuff.

[@Aquarimax]

John Schmeising The springtails really help guard against excessive mold in my experience. It may be more difficult in a more humid climate...it has been decades since I lived in coastal Washington state, but I remember what it was like.

[@Helicopter56]

solution to fungus gnats: take a tiny house spider from his web, and let him live in there. The web will be above where the pedes crawl, and only catch gnats. Even if the spider can leave, he won't want to. It is prime spider real estate. Mine even learned to stop building on the lid, so I can move it without messing him up.

[@exuviumisopods]

I wanted to ask but I saw in the video that one of them tried to climb on the vertical surface and then it fell down. I had to seal my Pill Millipedes container with vaseline because they can easily crawl on the vertical walls of my plastic container. Pill Millipedes introduced me to millipedes and I am considering starting with them as well.

[@Aquarimax]

Fortunately most long-bodies millipedes cannot climb very smooth surfaces. They are a lot of fun, maybe you should give them a try!

[@TheWildWatchers7-Cali]

I have a Pinicate Beetle which I just picked up from Acton

[@Aquarimax]

The Wild Watchers 7 awesome!!

[@victorg7036]

Unfortunately for me the only millipede that is legal he in canada is the Narceus americanus millipede and the only local seller is selling them for $40 each. I've search but I cant find any canadian online sellers of them.

[@Aquarimax]

I hope you are sable to find some eventually!

[@ilikelefunymemes2828]

I have a pair of 2 beautiful telodeinopus autii and Ive been thinking about adding another kind of millipedes some day. Maybe Ill add these

[@Aquarimax]

Michal can’t go wrong with ivories 👍

[@HoundofOdin]

I'm a simple man. I see a new Aquarimax Pets video, and I watch it.

[@Outwrage]

Since they're such prolific breeders, do you ever have issues with overcrowding? If so what's your strategy to handle that?

[@ronaldowens5025]

Weird lived in FL all my life moved around Jacksonville, tampa,Gainesville, the keys and I've only seen the solid brown variety. I work outside and spend A lot of time in parks and woods. Would like to know the region they are from just thrown for a bit of a loop.

[@Aquarimax]

Ronald Owens great question. www.bugguide.net has specific range Information for them, I believe. The one time I visited Florida I found bumblebee and scarlet millipedes, but no ivories.

[@adamhawkes3935]

I was wondering if you could also use oak and hickory wood pellets or is hickory ok or bad for them? in that case for millipedes in general?

[@Aquarimax]

I believe I have used hickory chips in the past with success. Oak seems to be one of the best options, but hickory should be an option. 👍🏽

[@LmaoMoni]

Can you keep isopods and millipedes together?

[@Aquarimax]

LmaoMoni it can be done, but there is always the risk that the isopods will eat freshly molted millipedes, especially with protein-hungry isopod species.

[@sammcfadden6836]

Hi! I was wondering if people ever kept millipedes as clean up crews in vivariums? I don't see anyone talking about it very often, but it seems like they have similar requirements to isopods or at least those that require less humidity. Is there a reason why they aren't used? Or maybe aren't ideal as clean up crew? Thank you!

[@Aquarimax]

Sam McFadden great question! I have heard of people doing it, but I think one of the concerns is that, in interactions with frogs, lizards, etc., the millipedes might discharge their repugnatorial fluid and cause discomfort or even harm.

[@sammcfadden6836]

@@Aquarimax interesting! Thanks for your reply!

[@alexcontreras6103]

Do you have springtails inside. I can't get mine to breed or i don't see any babies after 5 months

[@minathewildmongoose]

Is it ok to put some large sticks or branches in there encloser? I think it would be cool to watch them climb up and down them!

[@Aquarimax]

Minathewild Mongoose I sometimes put branches in with my millipedes. 👍

[@minathewildmongoose]

@@Aquarimax Cool!

[@olikotomas6113]

"So i ordered 2 irvory millipedes, but they sent me 3. 2 females...1 male, and about a month im later they had babies, thousands of them. I want to know how to keep the habitate healthy...what foods to feed them...and how often should i change there substrate,also love your videos huge fan of your channel."

[@Aquarimax]

oliko tomas I really appreciate the support! This video should answer your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIfWXoSuYrpjgNk

[@yaerootaegrewriowollio5232]

hello I have an important question I'm thinking about housing two millipedes together the problem is they are two different species one is a giant chocolate Desert millipede and I'm planning to get an ivory millipede but I'm curious can I house them together would they hurt each other witch is something I would not allow to happen

[@ladybuggy11]

Where would you recommend purchasing Ivory Millipedes?

[@joshuagillard5265]

How do you moisten the substrate? Do you spray it or just pour some water in the and expect it to get soaked in and around or what?

[@Aquarimax]

Joshua Gillard i usually pour a bit along the edges of the container.

[@liamthewizardking8380]

My Ivory millipede has been burrowed for about four days now, is this a normal time frame for molting or should I be at all worried?

[@Aquarimax]

Liam The Wizard King Molting usually takes longer than that, so Inwpuldn’t worry yet

[@reedmo8426]

how often should you change out their substrate?

[@Aquarimax]

Reed Gaddis about every 3-6 months, but save what you remove for a couple of months so you don’t throw away babies.

[@reedmo8426]

@@Aquarimax thank you!

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

Argh, they’re so cute! Would these guys be okay to keep in a terrarium with live plants?

[@Aquarimax]

Stella Belikiewicz some people keep them in planted vivariums. 👍

[@Aquarimax]

Stella Belikiewicz some people keep them in planted vivariums. 👍

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

Thanks! I would love to create a nice healthy bioactive habitat with plants and critters in it, and these beauties are pretty irresistible! Is it advisable to keep millipedes and isopods in the same vivarium? In my mind the setup could include one species of each, as their care and nutrition/environment requirements seem like they could be fairly similar (you can see I’m a total novice at this; was absolutely obsessed with bugs as a kiddo, but didn’t really think about the possibility of keeping them as pets until recently, so much research may be required ☺️)

[@Aquarimax]

Stella Belikiewicz unfortunately large millipedes can fall prey to isopods during the vulnerable molting period. Some people make it work, but others have horror stories...

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

Ha ha! Maybe I should just start with one or the other and not get ahead of myself!

[@beetle6207]

thoughts on smoky oak millipedes? I'm thinking about getting one and would love some care tips or pros n cons

[@beetle6207]

also, do millipedes need to be kept in pairs or colonies?

[@Aquarimax]

basil budgie I haven’t kept that species...I guess I should, so I can even make a video! 👍

[@Aquarimax]

basil budgie not necessarily. If you just want one as a solitary pet, that works fine. 👍

[@beetle6207]

Aquarimax Pets thanks so much!! :)

[@glorytalbott5500]

Smoky oaks are the fattest of my millipedes. They are super cute, but really shy. Mine often sleep under the food container and only allow half of their body to surface to plop on the food and eat. And then they hide again. They are very lazy. I prefer the ivory personality but the smoky oaks are the cutest (and biggest) out of the four kinds I have (ivories, smoky oaks, scarlets, and bumblebees).

[@BlaisZeroni]

What if I want to keep milipedes but don’t want them to breed so much I would need to sell or cull them? I’d hate to do that, but 3 or 4 in the tank would be nice. Or is there to keep their breeding/young under control?

[@Aquarimax]

BlaisZeroni You could get males of just one or several species.

[@BlaisZeroni]

@@Aquarimax that is a great idea! Is there a reason why this works better with males than females? What species would work well together? I live in Europe in case that matters

[@Aquarimax]

BlaisZeroni Females may already have mated and could therefore lay fertile eggs sometime after you purchase them. Most species of spirobolid millipede will tend to do well together, as they have very similar needs.

[@BlaisZeroni]

Thank you! Another question: why do you use alder pallets in your substrate recipe? I hear white rot oak trees are the best, but it needs to be white rotting at least. Just trying to learn more and wondering why your choice of wood works well for you

[@Aquarimax]

BlaisZeroni oak is often hard to source locally, and alder is more available...I read an article that said alder leaves were good for isopods, so I tried it, and succeeded. 👍🏽

[@imderanged5402]

I'm curious, what ratio of males to females is best for starting a colony of Ivory Millipedes?

[@Aquarimax]

imderanged Many ratios could work, but 1 make for every 2-3 females is probably most efficient. 👍

[@imderanged5402]

@@Aquarimax Thank you!

[@kitscraps]

Can Ivories live with bumblebees and scarlets?