aoikirin Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 I picked it up and it started eating me ! It didn't hurt but I could feel it. I let it nibble for a while and placed it back. Why would it do that ? It has carrots and millipede substrate. But I guess it needed some human flesh lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Many millipedes do this when handled, it may be because many species seem to enjoy eating keratin, which is what our skin, hair, and nails are made of. Chitin, which makes up a millipedes exoskeleton, is also similar to keratin from what I hear (I am not 100% sure however), so it may be that they mistake our skin for chitin, which they eat on occasion in preparation for their next molt, causing this behavior. People with a low pain tolerance (like myself) may feel the chewing as painful pinches or uncomfortable rasping, and I believe larger species may chew enough to cause a large pinching feeling even for those with a high pain tolerance. What kind(s) of millipede do you have? Hope this helps, Arthroverts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aoikirin Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 That's very informative thank you !! The one in question. I looked it up and it's an andornatus ornatus? Is that a proper species ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 22 minutes ago, aoikirin said: That's very informative thank you !! The one in question. I looked it up and it's an andornatus ornatus? Is that a proper species ? Sounds like it might be Orthoporus ornatus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Yes, I agree with @All About Arthropods. Andornatus ornatus is not a proper millipede species, but rather a kind of saltwater wrasse. Arthroverts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aoikirin Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 A saltwater what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Wrasse, it is a kind of fish commonly kept in marine aquariums. Arthroverts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogpack Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 I don't have any millipedes yet, but eventually might consider getting some. Any advice is welcome, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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