Baby millipedes, often called juveniles or instars, are born with fewer segments and legs, gradually acquiring more through molting. Their dietary needs are similar to adults, focusing on decaying organic matter. However, their delicate nature makes nutrition in captivity more sensitive. This article explores the food sources and environmental conditions necessary to support baby millipedes in both their natural habitat and in a captive environment.
Natural Diet and Ecological Role
In the wild, millipedes function as detritivores, meaning their diet consists primarily of dead and decaying organic matter found on the forest floor. They are crucial for nutrient cycling, as they fragment and consume leaf litter and wood, which accelerates decomposition and enriches the soil.
Their natural food includes soft, decaying hardwood leaves, such as oak and maple, and rotten wood. They consume this decaying material not for the plant fiber, but for the microbial biomass—the fungi and bacteria—that colonize the matter. These microbes provide easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates necessary for growth. Millipedes also consume moss, fungi, and damp organic detritus to obtain a balanced intake of nutrients and moisture.
Essential Captive Food Sources
While a proper substrate forms the base of a captive millipede’s diet, supplemental foods are necessary to ensure juveniles receive a full range of nutrients. Soft, moisture-rich fruits and vegetables are readily accepted and provide hydration alongside vitamins. Suitable options include thinly sliced cucumber, zucchini, apple, and various types of squash. These fresh foods should be offered in small amounts and rotated to ensure dietary variety, which mimics the complexity of their natural diet.
The occasional addition of protein sources supports the development of the millipede’s chitin-based exoskeleton. Excellent protein supplements include high-quality fish flakes, freeze-dried insects, or small portions of cooked egg yolk. Protein should be offered sparingly, perhaps once a week, to prevent overfeeding and maintain a balanced diet. It is important to remove all uneaten fresh food within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of harmful mold and attract unwanted pests.
Substrate as a Primary Nutrient Base
For baby millipedes, the substrate in their enclosure serves as their main food source. The quality of this substrate is more important than supplemental feeding, particularly for very young instars. A nutritious substrate must replicate the forest floor and should include well-rotted hardwood and leaf litter. Hardwood species like oak, maple, or birch are preferred, while softwoods such as pine or cedar should be avoided due to toxic resins.
The decaying wood and leaves must be allowed to break down, which encourages the growth of the micro-organisms juveniles rely on for digestion and nutrition. Incorporating a small amount of sterilized topsoil or humus provides mineral content and improves the substrate’s structure. This mixture should be deep enough to allow the millipedes to burrow, where they rest, molt, and feed continuously.
Hydration and Mineral Supplementation
Baby millipedes require a consistently damp environment to survive, as they are highly susceptible to desiccation. They typically absorb moisture directly from the environment, including the substrate and water droplets. Maintaining high humidity through regular misting of the enclosure is far more effective for hydration than providing a water bowl, which can pose a drowning risk to tiny juveniles.
Mineral supplementation, especially calcium, is necessary for the hardening of their exoskeleton after each molt. Millipedes incorporate calcium carbonate into their cuticle, and without sufficient calcium, they can struggle to develop a protective shell. Calcium can be provided in the form of crushed cuttlebone, ground oyster shell, or a calcium carbonate powder mixed directly into the substrate or lightly sprinkled on supplemental foods. Foods that must be avoided include citrus fruits due to their acidity, oils, salty items, and any produce treated with pesticides.