Narceus americanus
(Palisot de Beauvois, 1817)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Spirobolida
Family: Spirobolidae
Genre: Narceus
Narceus americanus is a species native to North America: from the East Coast of the United States to central Texas. It is one of the largest millipedes found in North America, often seen in forests or wooded habitats where it plays an important role in the degradation of organic matter. Narceus americanus can reach a length of 10 cm.
This iule is recognizable by its color which can vary from black to brown with yellow or orange bands.
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What you might need:
It is possible to keep a group of 3 Narceus americanus in a terrarium of 30x30x30 (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 10/15 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 2 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. Male Narceus americanus appear to have a "bump" on this segment. They also have longer legs.
Prolificacy, mating and laying: High prolificacy if conditions are optimal. The female appears to lay her eggs individually in capsules formed from regurgitated food.
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.
