Molly
Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)
About me
| Basic Info | Home: | I'm Molly the Giant African Millipede, and I”m from........Africa! |
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| Size: | Well, I'm proud to say that we're one of the largest species in the world, growing up to 11 inches in length – not bad, eh? | |
| Favourite foods: | Anything that's decaying, I'm all over it – whether it's old leaves, algae or moss. I actually help good old mother earth out by turning what I eat into compost, which keeps the forest floor fertile and able to support life. And I've got 200 legs to boot (get it?), what a gal! | |
| Environment: | The nice, moist forest floor is a dream world for a multi-legged lady like myself. | |
| Sounds like: | SCUTTLE SCUTTLE!!! |
| Further Info |
There are certain pronounced difference between centipedes and millipedes. Centipedes have a pair of legs per body segment, whereas millipedes have 2 pairs; centipedes are fast-moving carnivores whilst millipedes are slow-moving herbivores and centipedes bite, using venom in their fangs whereas millipedes do not bite and lastly centipedes move with a serpentine locomotion whereas millipedes move in a straight line. Millipedes breathe through spiracles which are small pores along the sides of their body. These cannot close, making water loss an issue. Living in high humidity environments and being active only at night, however, reduces moisture loss. An interesting fact about these millipedes in particular is that monkeys use them as a medicine! Lemurs have been known to rub the millipedes all over their bodies to spread the aforementioned natural insecticide released by these arthropods. This acidic predator deterrent is clearly not harmful to monkeys themselves. Utilisation of this natural remedy tends to happen in the spring when monkey skin pests are most prevalent. Scientists have confirmed that millipede toxins do indeed repel monkey pests. |
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| Useful links |