Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 5 N. americanus for 5 months in eco-earth with a couple old log pieces for hides, feeding cukes and occasionally food with calcium. At least one of the millipedes was mating with the others, but no babies appeared. We also are keeping garden snails in with the pedes.

Anyone know why no offspring appeared? Did the snails eat them? The snails had no problems reproducing.

How moist is your soil? Also, are you removing excess food? You should not be. Is the substrate pure eco earth or are there dried leaves of some sort and other debris for the babies to munch on? Baby millis cannot move very far during the first few instars, and must have moist dirt and something to eat pretty much wherever they hatch. If you don't have it already, sprinkle a layer of dried leaves (almost any kind of tree, microwaved for sanitation) and mix it in a bit with the dirt. Keep the dirt somewhat crumbly moist at all times. You should have billions of babies in no time.

P.S. I have snails with mine and still have tons of babies.

Where did you guys get land snails? I'd love to have a few. Also, you guys say snails and pedes work out fine. And i've heard of Pedes with roaches. Could I mix the threee together?

I just forund the snails outside (California). All three could be fine but do not use Orangehead roaches. They are mean and will nibble on everybody. Also, don't use any roach that will outbreed everyone like lobsters or surinames. Try giganteus roaches or some kind of fancy hisser and you will be fine. I really don't know if the roaches will eat the snails but the above should befine as far as the millis go.