Description
The Thai Rainbow Millipede, scientifically known as Aulacobolus rubropunctatus, is a striking species native to Thailand. Its vibrant coloration and relatively easy care make it a popular choice among millipede enthusiasts.
General Information
- Common Name: Thai Rainbow Millipede
- Scientific Name: Aulacobolus rubropunctatus
- Family: Trigoniulidae
- Order: Spirobolida
- Native Range: Thailand, Southeast Asia
Morphology and Identification
- Size: Typically around 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in length.
- Color: Notable for its vivid coloration, often displaying a mix of red, orange, yellow, and green hues along its body segments. These bright colors can serve as a warning to predators.
- Body Structure: Cylindrical body with numerous segments, each bearing two pairs of legs. The segments are smooth, and the body has a glossy appearance.
Habitat and Behavior
- Habitat: Found in tropical forests, particularly in moist leaf litter and decaying wood where it can find shelter and food.
- Diet: Detritivore, primarily feeding on decomposing plant material, leaf litter, and occasionally fruits and vegetables.
- Behavior: Generally slow-moving and non-aggressive. When threatened, it may curl into a tight spiral to protect its softer underside and can secrete chemicals as a defense mechanism.
Care in Captivity
- Enclosure: Requires a well-ventilated terrarium with a deep, moist substrate such as coconut fiber, peat moss, or a mix of soil and leaf litter to allow for burrowing.
- Temperature: Prefers a warm environment, with temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C).
- Humidity: High humidity levels are essential, ideally between 70-90%, to prevent desiccation.
- Diet: In captivity, they can be fed a diet of decaying leaves, vegetables (such as cucumber, squash, and carrots), fruits (such as apple and banana), and specially formulated millipede food. It's important to provide a calcium source, such as cuttlebone, to support their exoskeleton health.
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