Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, i recently got an african giant mill. I was wondering how long you would let the foods sit in the habitat??? I know the like some rotting foods, but when is enough???
Also just out of curiousity, has anyone ever had an allergic reaction or just got their natural defensive secretions into their system...what effects did or does it have on the body. Mainly the african giant's secretions

thanx in advance DENNIS

Hi Dennis:

I always try to give my pedes fresh greens, veggies and fresh fruit. All food starts to rot and get moldy after a day in the tank, so change the food everyday. When i went on a trip for like a week or more, I'd always give them Bearded Dragon Lizard food. The large pellets. Being that it's dry food, it won't rot or get moldy. I'd always put it into a plate so it won't come in contact with the damp soil. I have a large jar of water with my Ultrasonic Fogger device in it to create a rain forest "fog" to keep the plants and millipedes happy and it also keeps them from dehyrdrating to DEATH! I have my large 55 gallon tank arrange in a way so that just the one side of the tank get's "fog" and if the pedes want to get away from it, all they have to do is crawl to the other side. I'd also put the food far far away from the "foggy" area so it won't get wet and mold on me. When i come back from a weeks vacation, I see things are still okay, unless there's a power failure! ARGH!!! Robt Szymanski..

HI again Dennis:

I forgot to mention about the millipedes secretion. In the past 20 years breeding giant millipedes, When the millipedes feel threaten, they roll up into a cinnamon roll and when they really don't like being handled i get that iodine like secretion on the skin of my fingers and hands.. that stuff BURNS like battery acid! I'd always wash my hands and try not to get that in the EYES! I wouldn't recommend letting young children handling millipedes. I have several different species and some give off either a red colour, brown or a purplish colour. The species that give off a purplish colour, that stuff really burns the skin and one should wash the hands IMMDEDIATELY or there will be scarring of the skin where it comes in contact. I do not know the technical aspects of their secretive substance, but i tell you it sure burns the skin. For the last number of years, i been wearing those plastic gloves like the people used in those Subway Sandwich Shops when i have to move the pedes....