How difficult is it to keep Desert Millipede?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the lifespan of Desert Millipede?

The average lifespan of Desert Millipede is Over 10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Desert Millipede get?

Desert Millipede typically reaches 10-15cm (up to about 23cm) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Desert Millipede?

Desert Millipede feeds on: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables and fruit. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Desert Millipede?

The price of Desert Millipede varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Desert Millipede

Beginner

Orthoporus ornatus

A large millipede from the arid southwest of North America. Usually dark brown but sometimes yellowish, with a different look in every state, averaging about 10cm. Hardy and drought-tolerant, but it almost never reproduces in captivity.

Difficulty

Beginner

Lifespan

Over 10 years

Size

10-15cm (up to about 23cm)

Diet

Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables and fruit

About

Orthoporus ornatus is a large spirostreptid millipede of the arid southwest, ranging from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Individuals average about 10cm, with small ones around 7.6cm and exceptional ones reaching 23cm. The ground colour is dark brown, sometimes yellowish, and the species is said to look different in every state. It feeds on both living plants and dead organic matter, burrows to escape desert heat and dryness, and emerges after the summer monsoon rains. When disturbed it coils and releases an irritating fluid from glands along the sides of its segments. It can live more than ten years. The species became very popular in the pet trade and many were exported to Europe, but it hardly reproduces in captivity, so stock still depends on wild collection. Because it tolerates dry conditions well, the substrate does not need to be kept wet throughout; wetting part of it every few days is enough.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Desert Millipede

The Desert Millipede lives Over 10 years.

Size of the Desert Millipede

The Desert Millipede grows to 10-15cm (up to about 23cm).

Basic Info

Origin

Southwestern North America (Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, south to San Luis Potosi, Mexico)

Lifespan

Over 10 years

Size

10-15cm (up to about 23cm)

Diet

Care Specifications

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Very hard

Sources: Wikipedia: Orthoporus ornatus / Bugs in Cyberspace: Orthoporus ornatus Desert Millipedes / Bugs in Cyberspace: Orthoporus ornatus gold desert millipede / GBIF

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Orthoporus ornatus (Girard, 1853)

Synonyms: Julus ornatus Girard, 1853, Orthoporus arizonicus Loomis, 1953, Orthoporus crotonus Chamberlin, 1952, Orthoporus punctilliger Chamberlin, 1923

Authority databases: GBIF

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.