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SPECIES PROFILE

Millipede (Harpagophoridae spp., e.g., Giant African)

Various

IUCN STATUS

Not Evaluated

Millipede (Harpagophoridae spp., e.g., Giant African) — Southern and East Africa

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not Evaluated

CLASS

Diplopoda

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE

Southern and East Africa

DIET

Detritivorous

HABITAT

Forests, savannas, under leaf litter

🔬 Classification

PHYLUM

Arthropoda

CLASS

Diplopoda

ORDER

—

FAMILY

Harpagophoridae (and others)

GENUS

Various

📋 Description

SIZE

15-30 cm, 50-100 g

COLORATION

Shiny black with red/yellow bands (varies)

ADAPTATIONS

Many legs (200+); secretes irritants

🌿 Ecology

HABITAT

Forests, savannas, under leaf litter

DIET

Detritivorous

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Southern and East Africa

REPRODUCTION

Eggs in soil; juveniles mature in 1-2 years

DIET DETAILS

Dead plant material

⚠️ Threats & Conservation

PRIMARY THREATS

Habitat loss

💡 Interesting Facts

1

Chemical Defenders: When threatened, giant millipedes secrete toxic chemicals that burn skin or repel predators, curling into tight spirals to protect their soft undersides. This defense keeps them safe while they munch through forest floors.

2

Leggy Movers: With over 200 legs, they glide smoothly across terrain, each pair moving in waves to propel their long bodies, a locomotion marvel that's hypnotic to watch. Despite the name, no millipede has exactly 1,000 legs, yet they're close enough to awe.