Archispirostreptus gigas
Encyclopedia
Archispirostreptus gigas, the giant African millipede, is one of the largest millipede
s, growing up to 38.5 centimetres (15.2 in) in length, 67 millimetres (2.6 in) in circumference, and has 256 legs.
It is a widespread species in lowland parts of East Africa
, from Mozambique
to Kenya
, but rarely reaches altitudes above 1000 metres (3,280.8 ft). It lives mostly in forest
s, but can also be found in areas of coastal habitat which contain at least a few trees. It is known in Zulu
as .. It is also native to Southern Arabia, especially in Dhofar
.
A. gigas is black in colour, and is often kept as a pet. In general, giant millipedes have a life expectancy
of about 5–7 years. Giant millipedes have two main modes of defence if they feel threatened: curling into a tight spiral exposing only the hard exoskeleton, and secretion of an irritating liquid from pores on their body. This liquid can be harmful if introduced into the eyes or mouth.
Millipede
Millipedes are arthropods that have two pairs of legs per segment . Each segment that has two pairs of legs is a result of two single segments fused together as one...
s, growing up to 38.5 centimetres (15.2 in) in length, 67 millimetres (2.6 in) in circumference, and has 256 legs.
It is a widespread species in lowland parts of East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, from Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, but rarely reaches altitudes above 1000 metres (3,280.8 ft). It lives mostly in forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s, but can also be found in areas of coastal habitat which contain at least a few trees. It is known in Zulu
Zulu language
Zulu is the language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers, the vast majority of whom live in South Africa. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa as well as being understood by over 50% of the population...
as .. It is also native to Southern Arabia, especially in Dhofar
Dhofar
The Dhofar region lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border with Yemen. Its mountainous area covers and has a population of 215,960 as of the 2003 census. The largest town in the region is Salalah. Historically, it was the chief source of frankincense in the world. However, its frankincense...
.
A. gigas is black in colour, and is often kept as a pet. In general, giant millipedes have a life expectancy
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is the expected number of years of life remaining at a given age. It is denoted by ex, which means the average number of subsequent years of life for someone now aged x, according to a particular mortality experience...
of about 5–7 years. Giant millipedes have two main modes of defence if they feel threatened: curling into a tight spiral exposing only the hard exoskeleton, and secretion of an irritating liquid from pores on their body. This liquid can be harmful if introduced into the eyes or mouth.
External links
- Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas), Point Defiance Zoo & AquariumPoint Defiance Zoo & AquariumThe Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a combined zoo and aquarium located in Tacoma, Washington, US, owned by Metro Parks Tacoma. Situated on in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, the zoo and aquarium are home to over 9,000 specimens representing 367 animal species...
- Giant millipedes as pets, About.comAbout.comAbout.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....