African Olive Millipede (Telodeinopus aoutii) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

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Behavior

• Calm, slow-moving, and very docile.

• Primarily nocturnal; hides in substrate or leaf litter during the day.

• Rolls into a spiral when threatened; secretes a harmless defensive fluid.

• Social species; thrives in group enclosures.

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Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 38 liters for adults; larger for multiple millipedes

• Substrate: 8–15 cm layer of coconut fiber, leaf litter, or soil mix; keep slightly moist

• Decor: Logs, cork bark, rocks, leaf litter, moss

• Humidity: 75–85% (maintain consistent moisture for proper molting)

• Temperature:

  • Day: 22–27°C

  • Night: 20–24°C

• Lighting: Indirect light; avoid bright lights

• Ventilation: Moderate airflow to prevent mold while maintaining humidity

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Compatibility

• Social species; can house multiple millipedes together.

• Avoid keeping with aggressive or predatory arthropods.

• Non-aggressive toward other invertebrates that do not trigger stress.

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Diet

• Detritivore: feeds primarily on decaying plant matter

• Foods:

  • Leaf litter

  • Decayed vegetables and fruits (apple, cucumber, carrot)

  • Occasional calcium supplementation via cuttlebone or powdered calcium dust

• Feed small amounts daily; remove uneaten or moldy food promptly.

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Care Tips

• Maintain consistently moist substrate for hydration and molting.

• Clean enclosure every 2–4 weeks; remove waste and mold.

• Avoid overhandling; millipedes are delicate and stress easily.

• Provide hiding spaces and leaf litter for natural burrowing behavior.

• Keep away from direct sunlight or excessive heat.

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Breeding

• Oviparous; lays eggs in substrate.

• Eggs hatch in 3–4 months depending on temperature and humidity.

• Juveniles are smaller versions of adults; require similar care with slightly higher humidity.

• Multiple juveniles can be housed together if space allows.

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Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥38 L, moist substrate, hiding spots

• 🌡️ Temp: Day 22–27°C / Night 20–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 75–85%

• 🍴 Diet: Detritivore (leaf litter, vegetables, fruits)

• 🕒 Activity: Nocturnal / crepuscular

• ⚠️ Stress: Avoid handling; provide hides