Chicobolus spinigerus
(Wood, 1864)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Spirobolida
Family: Spirobolidae
Genus: Chicobolus
Chicobolus spinigerus, commonly called the Florida ivory millipede, is a species native to the southeastern United States, particularly Florida, but also Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
This millipede is recognizable by its pale ivory or light brown color, typically reaching 8 cm in length in females, while males are slightly smaller.
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What you might need:
It is possible to keep a group of 5 Chicobolus spinigerus in a terrarium of 20x20x20 (LxWxH) minimum. This terrarium can be made of glass or plastic. It must be slightly ventilated. You can also use plastic boxes by making a few ventilation holes. The aim is to maintain a humid but slightly ventilated atmosphere.
At the bottom of the terrarium, place at least 5 to 10 cm of substrate. The substrate is essential because it serves as both a habitat and food for the animals. We also recommend that you place pieces of decomposed wood.
The terrarium can be decorated with bark, moss, leaves (oak, beech or chestnut). The installation of branches is strongly recommended.
Temperature: Around 20-25°C.
Humidity: 70 - 85% The substrate must remain moist.
Lighting: Sufficient ambient light.
The basic food is the substrate . This is essentially composed of leaves and wood of oak, beech or possibly chestnut, decomposed and crushed.
You can add fruits and vegetables, fish food/protein supplement and/or lichen.
Calcium intake is recommended, we will therefore add cuttlefish bone, powdered limestone or reptile calcium as a supplement.
Young iules seem to feed on the droppings of older animals. At birth we therefore advise keeping the young with the adults.
Development
about 1 and a half years
ADULT LIFESPAN
5 years or more
Sexing: As with most millipedes, one or two pairs of legs on the seventh segment of the male are transformed into a reproductive organ also called a gonopodium.
Prolificacy, mating and laying: High prolificacy if optimal conditions.
Means of defense: Iules are slow animals and therefore vulnerable to predators. One way to defend yourself is to roll up tightly enough to protect your legs and your more vulnerable dorsal region. Predators will have difficulty swallowing the iule as is. It can also secrete a repellent substance with an unpleasant and irritating odor. This can leave orange-yellow stains on your fingers that will disappear within a few days. You should always wash your hands after handling them or wear gloves.
