Not furry either, still lovely.
Giant African Millipede
Archispirostreptus gigas
Also called Shongololo, Bongololo
From Lowland East Africa from Mozambique to Kenya, plus southern Arabia (especially Dhofar).1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Up to 33.5 cm long and about 67 mm around, one of the largest millipedes.
Looks how to spot one
Hard, segmented exoskeleton
A long, cylindrical millipede made of many hard ring-shaped segments, with roughly 256 short legs; the exact count changes as it moults. When worried it curls into a tight spiral so only its hard outer shell shows.1
Personality what they are like
A slow, peaceful millipede that is easy-going around people. When disturbed it rolls into a coil and may release a strong-smelling liquid from its pores, so wash hands after touching it.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Spends a lot of time burrowing in soil and leaf litter, coming up to wander and feed.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep the soil damp and humidity high. Give fresh vegetable scraps, add fish food or rabbit pellets weekly, and offer a piece of cuttlebone for calcium. Provide warmth in cold weather with a heat mat.2
Home where they are happiest
An enclosure at least twice as long as the longest millipede, filled with soil or peat-free compost mixed with dead leaves, kept damp and humid.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A decomposer that eats decaying plant matter. In captivity it takes vegetable peelings, leaf litter and its substrate, plus weekly fish food or rabbit pellets and cuttlebone for calcium.12
Company who they like around
A peaceful species; no specific social needs were found in the sources used.1
The story where it all began
Peters described the species in 1855. It lives in forests and coastal areas with trees, where it helps break down fallen leaves and rotting wood, and it has become one of the best-known giant pet millipedes.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It can grow to about 33.5 cm long, among the largest millipedes in the world.1
- 2
It has about 256 legs, and the number changes each time it moults.1
- 3
Tiny mites often ride on its body and keep it clean in return for food and shelter.1
- 4
Its gut microbes help recycle nutrients in tropical forests.1
- 5
Driver ants generally cannot prey on it, thanks to its tight coiling and defensive liquid.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Described by Peters in 1855.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Giant African Millipede. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Giant African Millipede?
Offer fresh vegetable scraps daily and add fish food or rabbit pellets weekly. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on species, size and moult stage, so watch your millipede's appetite and adjust as needed.2 Furry Diary plan
What does a Giant African Millipede eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat decaying plant matter like vegetable peelings, leaf litter, and their substrate, plus weekly fish food or rabbit pellets and cuttlebone for calcium. Avoid any foods not listed here; for specific concerns, ask an exotic-pet vet.12
How much space does a Giant African Millipede need?
Provide an enclosure at least twice as long as the longest millipede, filled with soil or peat-free compost mixed with dead leaves. Keep it damp and humid for burrowing.2
What temperature, light or water does a Giant African Millipede need?
Keep the soil damp and humidity high; use a heat mat in cold weather for warmth. No special lighting is needed, but always provide a shallow water dish. Furry Diary's plan suggests checking humidity and water every two days.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Giant African Millipede's home?
Spot clean leftover food weekly, and change the substrate every six months per Furry Diary's plan. Leave your millipede completely alone while it is moulting. Furry Diary plan
Can a Giant African Millipede live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and can live with others, though specific social needs are not detailed in the sources. Always monitor for any signs of stress and ask a good breeder for group advice.1
How long does a Giant African Millipede live?
They typically live between 7 and 10 years, so be ready for a long-term commitment with gentle care.1
Can I handle a Giant African Millipede?
Yes, they are slow and easy-going, but when disturbed they may release a strong-smelling liquid, so wash hands after touching. Handle gently and avoid sudden movements.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Archispirostreptus gigas (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, legs, lifespan, temperament, defence, mites, habitat, diet, history
- Giant millipede care sheet (Amateur Entomologists' Society) amentsoc.orgused for enclosure, substrate, humidity, diet, calcium, heating
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.