The Millipede

Published by 51m0nn in the blog Simon's Bug corner. Views: 271

The Millipede (Called a "Shongololo" in South Africa)

Despite numerous hours of Searching the web, I could not identify this particular species of Millipede. Surprisingly Google is useless, my searches came up with nothing but the Giant African Millipede, and it is not found in my area. So I guess I'll have to give as much info as I know off the top of my head. This particular millipede, can grow up to between 10CM and 20CM in size as adults.

Millipedes, are in fact one of my favourite bugs. Besides Spiders, I love spiders. Anyway. Millipedes are Arthropods (invertebrates with a segmented body and joined limbs) Specifically they belong to the Diplopoda Family. They are scavengers, feeding on bits of plants, decomposing organic matter and such. Millipedes are nocturnal and feed at night. The reason I love them so much is the relaxed feel they have about them, they take their time and potter around your garden at their own pace. They have grinding mouth parts to consume their food, and can be shy, when scared they curl up into a tight ball and can spray a defensive liquid that smells bad, and burns if it gets into your eyes or mouth. They use tiny antenna to feel around for food, as they are blind.

Millipedes also, obviously have many, many legs, another amazing thing about them is that they are able to move perfectly smoothly with them, doing a sort of wavey, perfectly timed, movement with them to move around. Most millipedes are black in colour, this particular kind is very common in South Africa, literally, you see them everywhere. But you do get various others in different colours and sizes.

So, I found this guy at 11:15 PM strolling down my hallway. I couldn't get a decent picture because he didn't want to keep still. This guy measured in at 15cm.

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Quite a cute little guy isn't he?

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Look at all those legs!

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You can clearly see his face and antenna here.

[​IMG]Like my moustache? ::S:

So, I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Until Next time! Simon Out!
Dec 27, 2012
  • SoulEmber
    SoulEmber Dec 27, 2012
    Millipedes are definitely cool. I think I've read somewhere that some of them can be venomous, but I can't recall if the venom has much of an effect on people.
  • 51m0nn
    51m0nn Dec 28, 2012
    I think you may be thinking about Centipedes I don;t know of any venomous Millipedes, But I could be wrong. Centipedes have poison glands at the back where two spikes stick out of their body, if you touch those, you're in for a world of hurt.
  • LyonKS555
    LyonKS555 Dec 29, 2012
    El Milpies : D
    I don't think I would ever put one on my face even for a certain sum of money. x3
  • Legion
    Legion Dec 29, 2012
    He's pretty cute. ^^
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