Giant African Millipede

Archispirostreptus gigas

Scientific Name

Giant African Millipede:  
Archispirostreptus gigas

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Tropical West Africa

Natural Habitat

Rainforest floor, under logs and leaf litter

Physical Characteristics

  • Brown or black, round, segmented body with two pairs of legs per body segment.

  • They can be up to 12 inches long and have 300-400 legs!

Quick Facts

  1. Millipede waste acts as fertilizer to help rainforest plants grow.

  2. Unlike centipedes, millipedes have weak jaws so they do not bite to protect themselves.

Exhibit

Education Department

Conservation Status

Least Concern: The Giant African Millipede is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild.

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Diet

Detritivore

Millipedes eat decaying plants.