excited for my male African Giant Millipede to arrive!

MdngtRain

New member
Ok, I'm a dork. I've had 3 WC AGM females for the last 6 or so years, and I am FINALLY getting a CB male shipped to me next week. They had gotten VERY expensive since the ban on imports (I purchased my females for $8 each back in the day... they now average $100 for LTC or young CB's. Males are more than that because they are harder to come by). I have been looking around half-heartedly for the last 2 years or so to find a male, but the wife put the pressure on last week, and I happened to find a guy with some males available for a reasonable price.I'm anxiously awaiting my new little guy. He should be shipped Monday for a Tuesday arrival. Does anyone know the appropriate quarantine period for bugs? I'm thinking a month or 2 before I put him in with the girls... or maybe before I put a girl in with him (that way if something happens I only lose 1 female and not all 3).
I really like these guys and have grown quite attached to them over the years. They do wonderful clean-up and keep the bioactive vivs going well with little effort on my part. The girls I have are all between 10-14", and as fat around as a cigar. They used to creep me out (ok, still do sometimes when I hold them) but I am totally fascinated watching them cruise around the viv at night. They climb every piece of furniture in there, and take care of any uneaten crested food. While care sheets tend to say they can be housed in a 10g with just a bunch of substrate, I tend to find mine love the space to roam and the stuff to climb. They LOVE burrowing in the substrate also though, so I keep about 4" of soil in with them to help them feel secure and thrive. I have to admit there was a 3 year period where I did not see them once, but they turned up again about 2 years ago, and I thought I would get some more for my vivs (when I found out their import had been banned).
They are curious and active bugs that really take handling well (however I only handle them a few times a year since re-discovering them in the viv). They will ball up at first, but settle in quickly and take to crawling up and down my arms and any other surface they can grip and I let them explore. I think I will work on my own care sheet for these guys, as I like to watch them in action. I don't think that can be effectively achieved in a 10g with just substrate. I have had them housed in my crested viv, which has never gotten any heat or much supplemental lighting. I find they do really well with the humid environment and the constant availability of left-overs and plant matter. I have yet to see them mess with living plants though...
Does anyone else keep these amazing creatures? I would be happy to hear about your experiences/opinions. Also, do you think they would work in a tokay viv? or would the tokays harass them too much?
 

MdngtRain

New member
ugh... a few more weeks to wait... I was so excited, but he sold out without realizing... patience is a virtue I'm told ;)
 

MdngtRain

New member
He came about a week ago and is settling in nicely. I can't wait to get him started with my females.
He is currently set up in a large sterilite-like bin with a thick layer of coco-fiber mixed with sea grape leaves and live oak branches and leaves. I feed him bug burger and fresh veggies. I will be adding a large branch for him to climb on (he seems really frustrated with the small space and little climbing). He currently resides in the bathroom (I'm fast running out of safe places to put my herps/bugs since I am limited to a small space in the house by my mom). I have to figure out how to get him reliable heat... I would put him out on the patio, but I am afraid of ants getting into his bin and terrorizing him.
Also, he is about 2/3 the size of my females, what size should he be before I put them together after quarentine? If the 7" big enough? Or should I wait until he is about 10" like they are?
I took 2 pics of him the other day, but they are not the best... taken through the lid of the bin.
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cheddarness8

New member
:) Amazing! I love millipedes and have always wanted an AGM for myself. They are gorgeous, charming animals.

I wish I knew more about their husbandry to be able to give you some tips, but sadly, I am a mere fan.
 

OliviaThegecko

New member
Where did you buy this from?! I need one!! I have gold desert mili (3) but there is nothing like a good giant!!!
I will totally pay for one of these...if I can get the name and site :) I would appreciate it! DSC_0010.jpg
 
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