Millipedes are terrestrial arthropods belonging to the class Diplopoda, characterized by their elongated, segmented bodies. Although their name translates to “thousand feet,” most species have far fewer, with each body segment bearing two pairs of legs. They occupy a distinct niche in nearly every terrestrial ecosystem worldwide, functioning primarily as nature’s recyclers. They are classified as detritivores, meaning they consume dead and decaying organic matter.
The Primary Diet in Nature
The diet of a millipede in the wild is composed of detritus, which is the fragmented remains of dead plant material. Their main food source is decaying leaf litter that accumulates on the forest floor, along with soft, rotting wood. Millipedes possess specialized mouthparts adapted for chewing and grinding this decomposed vegetation into smaller pieces. This process mechanically fragments the material, accelerating the decomposition carried out by microbes.
Millipedes ingest the fungi, algae, and bacteria that colonize the decaying wood and leaves, not just the dead plant matter itself. These microorganisms make the material more palatable and nutritionally available. Millipedes generally avoid healthy, living plant tissue. However, if their moist habitat dries out and detritus becomes scarce, they may opportunistically nibble on tender seedlings or soft roots to obtain moisture.
Essential Nutritional Needs
Millipedes require specific nutrients beyond bulk consumption of decaying matter. The most significant is calcium, required for the construction and hardening of their protective exoskeleton. Millipedes must molt several times throughout their lives to grow. A lack of calcium results in a weak, soft new shell, leaving them vulnerable.
Millipedes also depend highly on moisture, which they absorb from their environment and directly from their food. The decaying plant matter they consume is typically damp, providing necessary water. During molting, they may eat their shed exoskeleton, which helps them reclaim lost calcium and other minerals. Microorganisms found on their food aid in digestion, making complex carbohydrates easier to process.
Feeding Millipedes in Captivity
Replicating the natural diet for pet millipedes involves providing a deep, rich substrate that acts as both their home and primary food source. This substrate should be a mixture of decaying leaf litter (especially oak or maple) and soft, rotting hardwood. This mixture needs to be kept consistently damp to facilitate decomposition and provide moisture.
Supplemental foods can be offered a few times per week for a balanced diet. Millipedes readily consume soft fruits and vegetables like squash, cucumber, melon, and apple slices, but these items should be removed within 24 hours to prevent mold and mites. To address the need for calcium, keepers should provide a consistent source, such as crushed cuttlebone, limestone, or calcium powder sprinkled lightly onto the substrate. Foods to avoid include anything acidic, like citrus, and processed human foods. Small amounts of protein, such as fish flakes or freeze-dried mealworms, can also be offered occasionally.