Texas Giant Gold Millipede, Orthroporus ornatus
Feeding: Millipedes will primarily feed on their substrate. That’s why we recommend Vivarium Naturals Bio-Thrive Millipede Substrate.
They love decomposing wood and Vivarium Naturals Premium Aged Hard Wood Leaves. This will make up the bulk of their diet, making it necessary to change out spent substrate (appears as little dirt balls) with fresh substrate on a regular basis. Vivarium Naturals Nutra-Pede Protein & Mineral Nutriment provides important extra protein they enjoy along with essential minerals for a long and healthy life.
Temperature: You'll be fine keeping your millipedes at room temperature. For most species, 72F to 78F is ideal. Supplemental heating in the form of a low wattage heat mat can be used if needed, but take care that it doesn't dry out your millipede's habitat too quickly.
Humidity: Texas Giant Gold Millipedes like it a little drier than other millipedes. Humidity is a very important aspect to millipede keeping. Millipedes will drink - some people provide them with a small water bowl, but misting, providing a moist substrate, and providing fresh food will keep them hydrated. Critter keepers and the like can dry out quickly, but do look a bit nicer than plastic shoe boxes. If you go with a cage with a lot of ventilation, you'll want to mist daily.
Size: This millipede is large for a North American native, growing up to about 6 - 7 inches. Millipedes will be 5" to 7" when shipped. Age: Millipedes can live for several years in captivity. Feeding: Millipedes will primarily feed on their substrate - they love decomposing wood and leaves! This should make up the bulk of their diet, making it necessary to change out spent substrate (appears as little dirt balls) with fresh substrate on a regular basis. We strongly recommend CVS Vivarium Naturals Brand - Bio-Thrive Millipede Substrate - it's been formulated to provide your pet millipedes with a high quality substrate. You'll also want to provide the occasional fresh fruit or leafy greens, as well as Repashy Bug Burger, which provides a much needed source of calcium. Make sure to remove food if it ever becomes moldy. Offering a bit of food once a week or so (in addition to their substrate) is plenty.
Sexing: Millipedes are much easier to sex than you'd think. Count to the 7th body segment back from the head. If the legs look shorter/odd, you probably have a male on your hands! Males have external gonads (sex organs) instead of legs on their 7th segment.
Social Behavior: Millipedes do fine when housed in a group. They are not aggressive towards each other - just make sure to provide plenty of substrate, food, and hiding places.
Natural Range: Texas Giant Gold Millipede, Orthroporus ornatus are native to the southwestern US, where they inhabit areas with plenty of leaf litter and decaying wood.
Giant Texas Gold Millipedes Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Giant Texas Gold Millipedes a good beginner species?
Giant Texas Golds make fantastic beginner millipede hobby pets with how colorful, active, and hardy this species is. They are not rare, but popular in the pet trade due to their docile nature and striking coloration.
Another great aspect of keeping Giant Texas Gold Millipedes as a beginner is how easy they are to feed and care for – they eat nearly everything organic, the Vivarium Naturals Bio-Thrive Millipede Substrate can provide them with the perfect nutritional balance in a natural format that this species is used to consuming.
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Are Giant Texas Gold Millipedes poisonous and can they bite?
Unlike centipedes, millipedes are not poisonous and do not bite, but many species can create a defensive secretion that can irritate the skin or eyes if direct contact is made. Millipedes also do not tend to carry diseases that affect people, other animals, or the plants around them, making them a relatively safe choice for a beginner pet species.
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What does The Defiant Jungle's Millipede breeding room look like?
Get a video tour of our Millipede room on YouTube.
