Can beginners keep a Pink Dragon Millipede?

This species is rated for advanced keepers due to the humidity management it requires. It is best approached after gaining some experience with invertebrate care.

Is it safe to handle with bare hands?

Like other Polydesmida millipedes, it secretes hydrogen cyanide, so direct bare-hand contact should be avoided. Always wash your hands afterward and avoid touching your eyes or mouth.

How big does it get and how long does it live?

It is a small species with an adult size of about 3 to 4 cm and a lifespan of roughly 1 to 2 years. This means it does not need a particularly large enclosure.

Does coloration vary between individuals?

Yes, coloration can differ by locality — some populations show vivid pink or red projections, while others have darker tones.

Is the Pink Dragon Millipede listed under CITES?

No, it is not subject to CITES.

Pink Dragon Millipede

The Pink Dragon Millipede is a small millipede species known for the horn-like lateral projections extending from each body segment. These projections and legs take on pink-to-red hues, giving the animal a striking, dragon-like silhouette that has made it popular among keepers of unusual invertebrates. Its temperament is generally calm and slow-moving, spending most of its time in soil or decaying wood. Like other members of the Polydesmida order, it secretes hydrogen cyanide as a defense mechanism, so it should never be handled with bare hands. Coloration can vary by locality, with some populations showing darker tones, adding another point of interest for keepers. This species is considered suitable for experienced keepers rather than beginners.

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Pink Dragon Millipede key facts

Care level: Advanced
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Size: 3-4cm
Temperature: 24〜26℃
Humidity: 75〜85%
Diet: Decaying hardwood and leaf litter as the staple, consumed fast, with vegetables, fish flake or dried herbs as extras; cuttlebone stays in permanently
Temperature & Humidity: 24-26C and 75-85% humidity. Heat from the side rather than underneath, since ordinary room temperature is usually too low. Keep the substrate evenly damp throughout.
Enclosure: 8-10cm of substrate, loaded with white-rotted hardwood and topped with a thick layer of hardwood leaf litter. Ventilate so the air does not go stagnant.
Diet & Feeding: It works through decaying hardwood fast, so top it up before it runs out. With leaf litter this is the diet. Keep cuttlebone in permanently.
Temperament & Venom: As a polydesmid it releases hydrogen cyanide, but in tiny amounts; the usual sign is a faint almond smell when a group is disturbed. Handle as little as possible and never seal them in an unventilated container.
Notes: Short-lived and fast-growing, so start with a group and plan to breed them. Do not house them with predators. They are small and quick, so unpack them in a closed room. The vivid shocking pink dragon millipede that made headlines in 2008 as one of the year's top new species is a different animal, Desmoxytes purpurosea, not this one; buying from that image will get you the wrong species.

TraitsMillipedeSmall speciesSoutheast AsiaHydrogen cyanide

About Pink Dragon Millipede

The Pink Dragon Millipede is a small species whose horn-like projections turn pink to red, creating a dragon-like appearance. Calm but defensive, it secretes hydrogen cyanide, making it a species best suited to experienced keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Pink Dragon Millipede

1Color Deepens With Growth
Juveniles start with pale projections that gradually turn pinker and redder with each molt. Watching the color intensify as it matures is part of the appeal of keeping this species.
2Handle With Care: Hydrogen Cyanide
Like other members of its order, it secretes hydrogen cyanide as a defense. Always wash your hands after contact and avoid touching your eyes or mouth.
3Needs Humid Substrate
This species comes from humid tropical forest floors and does not tolerate dry conditions well. Keep a thick layer of moistened leaf litter or coconut fiber substrate and maintain consistent humidity.
4Nocturnal and Shy
It burrows into substrate or hides under wood during the day and becomes active at night. Providing driftwood or leaf litter for cover helps it feel secure.
5Calm but Defensive
It is not aggressive and typically curls into a coil when disturbed rather than attacking. Because of its defensive secretion, it is best enjoyed as a species to observe rather than handle.
6Best Suited to Experienced Keepers
This species is rated for advanced keepers, requiring consistent humidity and temperature management. It can be challenging for someone keeping invertebrates for the first time.
7Lifespan of 1-2 Years
Adults typically live around 1 to 2 years and reach a body length of 3 to 4 cm. Its modest adult size means it does not require a large enclosure.

Frequently asked questions about Pink Dragon Millipede

Q.Can beginners keep a Pink Dragon Millipede?: A.This species is rated for advanced keepers due to the humidity management it requires. It is best approached after gaining some experience with invertebrate care.
Q.Is it safe to handle with bare hands?: A.Like other Polydesmida millipedes, it secretes hydrogen cyanide, so direct bare-hand contact should be avoided. Always wash your hands afterward and avoid touching your eyes or mouth.
Q.How big does it get and how long does it live?: A.It is a small species with an adult size of about 3 to 4 cm and a lifespan of roughly 1 to 2 years. This means it does not need a particularly large enclosure.
Q.Does coloration vary between individuals?: A.Yes, coloration can differ by locality — some populations show vivid pink or red projections, while others have darker tones.
Q.Is the Pink Dragon Millipede listed under CITES?: A.No, it is not subject to CITES.