Millipedes are fascinating invertebrates recognized by their distinctive segmented bodies and numerous legs. While their name suggests a thousand feet, most species possess far fewer, typically ranging from 100 to 400 legs. As detritivores, millipedes consume decaying plant matter, contributing to the breakdown of organic material. This process helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, supporting overall soil health and fertility.
Millipede Lifespan
The lifespan of a millipede varies depending on the species and its environment, generally ranging from one to ten years. Some species, like the North American millipede Narceus americanus, can live up to 11 years in both wild and captive settings. Giant African millipedes, popular in captivity, typically live between five and seven years in their natural habitats but can extend their lives to 10 years or more under controlled conditions.
Factors Affecting Lifespan
Several environmental and biological factors influence how long a millipede lives. Habitat quality is crucial, as millipedes thrive in moist environments rich with decaying organic matter, such as leaf litter, rotting wood, and soil. Dry conditions are detrimental, and millipedes that wander into dry indoor environments typically survive only a few weeks. Consistent humidity is therefore essential for their survival and longevity.
Diet and nutrition are also crucial. As detritivores, millipedes feed on decomposing leaves, plant material, and fungi, which are important for their growth and health. In captive settings, a varied diet supplemented with calcium, such as cuttlebone, supports their exoskeleton development and overall well-being. Predators, including birds, rodents, and other invertebrates, naturally impact wild millipede populations. Millipedes defend themselves by coiling into a tight spiral or secreting noxious chemicals to deter threats.
Temperature also plays a role in their survival, as millipedes cannot endure temperatures below approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. For pet owners, care considerations such as providing an adequately sized enclosure, maintaining proper humidity levels, offering a suitable substrate, and controlling temperature directly contribute to a longer lifespan.
Millipede Life Cycle
Millipedes begin their lives as eggs, which are typically laid in the soil by the female. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch into larvae that are much smaller than adult millipedes and possess only a few pairs of legs. These young millipedes undergo a process called anamorphosis, where they continually molt, shedding their exoskeletons and adding more body segments and legs with each successive molt. This developmental process can take several years, with juveniles often remaining within the soil.
Millipedes often consume their discarded exoskeletons after molting, reabsorbing valuable nutrients. They reach sexual maturity after one to two years, though their growth continues for several more years beyond this stage.