Do you have a millipede as a pet? If so, you’ll probably want to know about what millipedes eat. Well, don’t worry about it! In this blog, we’ll discuss a comprehensive, detailed guide to the millipede diet. Millipedes are found all over the world, and these species eat many things. Most millipedes eat fungi, leaves, and insects.
Reference: @WingersCrawlersEurope
Table of Contents:
- What do millipedes eat?
- Are millipedes herbivores?
- What do millipedes eat indoors?
- How does a Millipede Eat?
- 9 Foods Millipedes Eat
- What to Feed Millipedes as a Pet?
- Conclusion
What do millipedes eat?
Millipedes eat anything decaying, including plant materials, fungi, leaves, decaying bugs, and sometimes even animals. Millipedes are not picky eaters. They eat just about anything they find. Millipedes are omnivores and are also considered detritivores because they eat only dead things or those in the process of decay.
Millipedes have a cylindrical body segment. Most people call them “a thousand leggers.” They have two pairs of legs per segment and generally have a range of 34–750 legs, depending on the species. Despite having many legs, these creatures move slowly and can’t outrun predators. Millipedes are not insects; they are considered arthropods. There are around 10,000 species of millipedes around the world, except in Antarctica. Millipedes can be kept as pets in homes because they are harmless and consume almost every food item.
Millipedes live in damp areas, moist under the leaves, rotten wood, lawns, and gardens. But the main positive factor is that they play a significant role in the ecosystem as they help speed up fertilization by feeding decomposing plants and other dead bugs. According to the report of Functional Ecology, millipedes, along with snails, are necessary components of any forest ecosystem. These two creatures assist with forest health and wellness and a healthy ecosystem.
Are millipedes herbivores?
There are various species of millipede around the globe. Most of them are detritivores, which means they feed on dead plants, decaying leaves, and other dead organic matter from the soil. Some millipede species are omnivores, which means they feed on decaying animal-based food sources, such as rotting flesh, earthworms, dead bugs and insects, cockroaches, ants, and spiders.
But, some of the millipede species are herbivores that eat plants, veggies, fruits, saplings, seedlings, and many more. They also drink fluid obtained from plants to stay hydrated.
What Do Millipedes Eat Indoors?
Millipedes prefer to live outdoors because they need much moisture, so they tend to live in backyards, under rocks, or in damp areas. But what to do with indoor millipedes? Sometimes, indoor millipedes typically eat decaying things. If you have millipedes in the house or a problem with indoor millipedes, it’s probably an alert that something is rotting in your house. That’s why these species come inside. Be sure to keep your kitchen and other places clean and reduce the amount of decaying matter in your home to keep millipedes away. You can also use insecticides labeled for millipede control like Bifen L/P and D-Fence Dust to keep millipedes away from home and in the backyard.
How does a Millipede Eat?
A millipede’s body consists of eyes, mouth, and antennae. They eat with their tiny teeth, mandibles, and lower jaw. Millipedes also belong to a class called Diplopoda, in which nearly 10,000 different types of millipedes are included. Despite this creature’s size and many legs, it may sound surprising that they do indeed have a mouth to eat with. Some millipedes need a year to reach adult maturity, and some require a decade to grow up, depending on the species.
A millipede can gain approximately five times its body weight between the time it hatches and reaches adulthood.
A List of 9 Millipede Foods:
Depending on the species, millipedes eat several types of food:
- Fungi or mushrooms
- Decaying carcasses
- Decay Birds
- Decaying animals
- Plant Material
- Tree Bark
- Termites
- Roches
- Dead Plants
You can probably find this species in a damp and moist environment in the wild. Millipedes love decaying soil and rich, wet earth and love to hide under rocks or fallen branches. A humid environment helps decompose things faster, which is why a moist environment is an ideal location for millipedes.
Feed the millipede as a pet:
Some millipedes may look itchy, but some people love to keep them as pets. Millipedes are a bit sneaky and are experts in escaping—people who pet and keep them in enclosed tanks with a balanced temperature.
We’ll give you a list of foods you can provide your millipede pet.
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Mosses
- Decaying tree barks or twigs
- Plants with decaying leaves
- Decaying Fish Flakes
- Wet dog or cat food
- Snails and slugs
The most important thing to consider while petting a millipede is the level of your millipede’s home to keep it happy and calm. They love the moist environment and love to hide under decorated rocks. Many millipede experts encourage you and pique your interest by giving food lists and other helpful guidance if you pet a millipede. It’s not difficult to keep a millipede because they can eat anything. There’s no special millipede diet. They can eat vegetable scraps and other rotten things.
Conclusion:
As discussed above, millipedes are not picky or careful eaters. They eat pretty much anything they find under rocks or dead things. Millipedes attack rotten materials like leaves, decaying bugs, and dead insects. If you have any problem with millipedes, check your home in detail because there’s something rotten in the house. That’s why millipedes came to your place. They can also be dangerous to household items as they eat fruits and vegetables. Don’t be afraid of these species as they are harmless. Just try to figure out the reason for their presence.
