Scarlet Millipedes

Scarlet Millipedes do best in a warm, humid enclosure that mimics a shaded forest floor. Use a secure plastic tub or glass tank with good ventilation and at least 3–4 inches of nutrient‑rich substrate made from coconut fiber, organic topsoil (chemical‑free), rotted hardwood, and plenty of leaf litter. The substrate should stay damp to the touch but never waterlogged, with lots of hiding places created using cork bark, curved wood, and deep leaf piles so they can burrow and feel secure. Keep them away from direct sunlight and drafts, and aim for temperatures in the low‑ to mid‑70s °F with humidity around 70–90% to support healthy activity and molting.

Scarlet Millipedes are detritivores that feed mainly on decomposing leaves, rotting wood, and the organic matter in their substrate. To keep them in good condition, offer thin slices of vegetables such as cucumber, squash, carrot, or sweet potato a few times per week, plus the occasional small piece of fruit as a treat. Always provide a calcium source like cuttlebone, crushed sterilized eggshell, or reptile‑safe calcium powder to support strong exoskeletons and successful molts. Remove uneaten fresh food before it molds, spot‑clean waste and moldy patches, and handle them gently and infrequently—let them crawl onto your hand rather than being grabbed, and wash your hands before and after handling to protect both you and the millipedes.

Scarlet Millipede Quick Care Points

• Enclosure: Secure, escape‑proof tub or tank with good ventilation

• Substrate depth: At least 3–4" of moist, organic mix (coco fiber, organic soil, rotted wood, leaf litter)

• Moisture & humidity: Keep substrate damp, not soggy; target ~70–90% humidity

• Temperature: Low‑ to mid‑70s °F; avoid drafts, direct sun, and rapid temperature swings

• Hides & decor: Cork bark, curved wood, and thick leaf litter for hiding and burrowing

• Staple diet: Decomposing leaves, rotting wood, and bioactive substrate

• Fresh foods: Thin slices of cucumber, squash, carrot, and sweet potato; occasional fruit treats

• Calcium source: Cuttlebone, crushed sterilized eggshell, or reptile‑safe calcium powder always available

• Cleaning: Spot‑clean old food and moldy areas; replace sections of substrate periodically, not all at once

• Handling: Minimal and gentle; let them crawl onto your hand and wash hands before and after contact