Ghana Olive Millipedes (Telodeinopus aoutii)

Ghana Olive Millipedes are properly one of the more visually distinctive African giant millipedes in the UK hobby — long, slender Spirostreptidae with a properly characteristic dark olive to coppery-brown body and striking white-and-brown striped legs. Telodeinopus aoutii is genuinely one of the most active and surface-displaying of the African giants, often visible foraging and climbing rather than burying themselves away. For keepers wanting a properly substantial display millipede that you'll actually see, this species delivers in ways that more reclusive Spirostreptidae don't.

This is part of our wider millipede collection and sits alongside the other African giants — including the Burmese Beauty, Analocostreptus gregorius African Olive Millipede, African Giant Chocolate, and Delta Banded millipedes. Within the Spirostreptidae cluster, T. aoutii sits at the more active, climbing end of the behavioural spectrum — properly different from the heavier-bodied burrowing species.

One framing point worth understanding up front. You'll find this species sold under several different common names — Giant African Olive Millipede, Ghana Olive Millipede, Ghana Speckled Leg Millipede, Long Legged Millipede. They're all the same species (Telodeinopus aoutii) with different aspects of the appearance emphasised. We also stock the species as Ghana Speckled Leg Millipedes for keepers searching under that name. To set things up properly from the start, browse our accessories collection for substrate components, leaf litter, and other items this species depends on.

Quick Care Summary

• Scientific Name: Telodeinopus aoutii (Demange, 1971)
• Common Names: Ghana Olive Millipede, Giant African Olive Millipede, Giant Olive Millipede, Ghana Speckled Leg Millipede, Long Legged Millipede — all the same species, different aspects of appearance emphasised
• Class: Diplopoda; order Spirostreptida; family Spirostreptidae
• Genus context: Telodeinopus contains around 11 described species, all African in distribution. T. aoutii is properly the most widely-traded member of the genus in the UK hobby
• Origin: West, central, and east tropical Africa. Particularly associated with Ghana, Togo, and adjacent regions. Found in tropical forest and tree savannah habitats with distinct rainy and dry seasons
• Adult Size: 16–18 cm long when fully mature; females slightly larger than males. 68–73 body segments. Properly substantial but more slender than the chunkier Ophistreptus species
• Lifespan: 5+ years typical in good captive conditions
• Difficulty: Easy — properly considered one of the better beginner African giants. Hardy, forgiving, surface-active
• Temperature: 22–28 °C — properly tropical. UK winter heating typically required
• Humidity: 70–90% — high humidity throughout
• Body shape: Long, slender, cylindrical body — properly different proportions from the heavier Ophistreptus species. The "long legged" common name reflects both the relatively long legs and the proportions of the animal as a whole
• Body colour: Olive (dark olive-green to olive-brown) to coppery brown — the "olive" common name reflects this body colouration. The exact shade varies between individuals and can shift with moulting
• Legs: Long, white-and-brown striped — properly diagnostic. The "speckled leg" common name reflects this leg patterning. Long legs support the species's strong climbing ability
• Sexual dimorphism: Properly visible — males have modified gonopods replacing the legs of segment 4; females are slightly larger and thicker-bodied. Colouration can differ subtly between sexes
• Behaviour: Surface-active and climbing, properly different from more reclusive burrowing species. Active during day and evening
• Defensive chemistry: Produces benzoquinone secretions when stressed — properly the standard Spirobolida/Spirostreptida defence. Released as a dark fluid that can stain hands and may cause skin irritation. Wash hands after handling
• Diet: Detritivore — hardwood leaf litter, rotten hardwood, vegetables, fruit. Properly ravenous appetite
• Rarity: Common to uncommon in UK hobby — properly established species but variable availability

What Makes Ghana Olive Millipedes Special

The body colouration. The "Olive" in the common name refers to the properly distinctive dark olive-green to olive-brown body colour that characterises the species. Under good lighting, the olive colouration shows depth and subtle gradients across the long body — properly different from the uniform dark browns of Ophistreptus guineensis or the bright bands of Centrobolus annulatus. The colour can vary between individuals from darker olive-green tones to more coppery-brown expressions; both extremes are properly normal.

The leg striping. While the body colouration gives the species its "Olive" name, the legs deserve equal attention — long, properly white-and-brown striped, creating dramatic visual contrast against the olive body. The leg striping is genuinely one of the more distinctive features in the African giant millipede group. The legs also serve a functional purpose: their length and grip support the species's strong climbing behaviour, properly different from ground-dwelling species.

The body proportions. T. aoutii is properly more slender than the chunkier African giants — the "Long Legged" common name reflects both the genuine leg length and the long, slender body proportions. While they reach the same 16–18 cm length as our other African giants, the slender body shape gives Ghana Olive Millipedes a properly different presence in the enclosure.

The surface activity. Unlike many large millipedes that spend most of their time burrowed under substrate, T. aoutii are properly surface-active — they spend time visible during day and evening hours, climbing cork bark, exploring leaf litter, and foraging openly. For display-focused keepers, this is genuinely one of the appeals of the species. You'll actually see your millipedes rather than just glimpsing them during occasional substrate disturbances.

The climbing behaviour. The long legs aren't just decorative — they support strong climbing ability. T. aoutii will use vertical cork bark, branches, and any structural elements in the enclosure. Provide vertical structure if you want to see this behaviour. Setups with only ground-level habitat underutilise the species's natural behavioural range.

The "dustbins of the millipede world" character. Specialist breeders properly describe T. aoutii as one of the most ravenous detritivores in the hobby — they'll accept practically anything organic, from rotting wood and leaf litter through to fruits, vegetables, and protein sources. Combined with their relative hardiness and forgiving nature, this makes them genuinely one of the best African giant millipedes for new keepers.

The sexual dimorphism visibility. Males and females are properly distinguishable in this species. Males have modified gonopods replacing the legs of the fourth body segment (a properly diagnostic feature for sexing Spirostreptidae); females are slightly larger and thicker-bodied. For keepers interested in breeding the species, sexing the colony is genuinely straightforward.

The Spirostreptidae heritage. Ghana Olive Millipedes sit within the broader Spirostreptidae family — the African giants — alongside our Burmese Beauty, Analocostreptus gregorius, African Giant Chocolate, and Delta Banded millipedes. Within this group, T. aoutii offers the most visually distinctive leg patterning and the most surface-active behavioural profile.

About the Name and the Taxonomy

The naming situation deserves proper transparency.

• Telodeinopus aoutii: Described by Jean-Michel Demange in 1971. The species epithet "aoutii" honours the collector or describer's contemporary; the genus name Telodeinopus combines Greek roots referring to body structure features
• Multiple common names — all the same species:
  • Giant African Olive Millipede / Giant Olive Millipede / Ghana Olive Millipede: All reference the olive body colouration. This product page
  • Ghana Speckled Leg Millipede: References the white-and-brown striped legs. Available here
  • Long Legged Millipede: References the long legs and slender body proportions
• Why multiple names exist: Different keepers and retailers emphasise different aspects of the appearance — body colour vs leg patterning vs body proportions. This is properly common in invertebrate hobby trade, where common names develop independently in different regional contexts
• Distinguishing from Analocostreptus gregorius: Both species are sometimes called "African Olive Millipede" but they're properly different. Analocostreptus gregorius (originally from Angola, described 1914) is a different genus with different body proportions; smaller (~12 cm), with reddish-brown or orange legs. T. aoutii reaches 16–18 cm and has the diagnostic white-and-brown striped legs. The two species are properly distinct despite the common-name overlap
• Genus Telodeinopus: Contains around 11 described African species. T. aoutii is by far the most widely-traded member of the genus in UK hobby contexts
• Family Spirostreptidae: Properly the African giant millipede family. Shares ecological role and chemistry with our other Spirostreptidae products. Order Spirostreptida produces benzoquinone defensive chemistry (not the hydrogen cyanide of the Polydesmida like our Pink Dragon Millipede or Thai Rainbow Millipede)

Setting Up the Enclosure

A properly tall enclosure works better for Ghana Olive Millipedes than a wider shallow one — the climbing behaviour and surface activity benefit from vertical habitat. Minimum dimensions for a small colony: 40 × 30 × 30 cm or larger. A 60-litre tank with vertical structure suits a group of 4–6 adults comfortably.

Glass or plastic enclosures both work. A secure ventilated lid is properly essential — Ghana Olive Millipedes can climb smooth vertical surfaces given enough effort, and a poorly-fitting lid is properly an escape route. Cross-ventilation through mesh panels on opposing sides maintains airflow without compromising humidity.

Provide proper structure:

• Deep substrate (10–15 cm minimum) — the species burrows for moulting and rest periods
• Multiple cork bark pieces positioned both flat and vertically — the climbing behaviour means vertical surfaces are properly important
• Curved cork bark or coconut shell hides at ground level
• Pieces of decaying hardwood throughout the enclosure — both food and habitat
• Generous leaf litter layer on the surface. Browse our accessories range for leaf litter options
• Optional: live tropical plants for a bioactive setup; T. aoutii tolerates planted enclosures properly well
• Springtails as cleanup crew — establishes microfauna and processes substrate. Browse our springtail collection

Important husbandry note: Place any supplementary heating on the side or back of the enclosure, not underneath. Deep-burrowing species need substrate moisture preserved across the full depth, and under-substrate heating dries out the lower layers where the millipedes spend significant time.

Substrate

Ghana Olive Millipedes need deep, properly nutrient-rich substrate. The substrate is both habitat and primary food source:

• Organic topsoil (pesticide-free, fertiliser-free) as the moisture-retaining foundation
• Flake soil mixed in for additional nutrition
• Crumbled decaying hardwood throughout — properly essential, both food and habitat structure
• Coconut fibre (coir) for moisture buffer
• Surface layer of hardwood leaf litter — oak, beech, magnolia, hazel all work. Browse our accessories collection for ready-prepared leaf litter
• Optional sphagnum moss patches for moisture pockets
• Calcium sources mixed throughout — cuttlebone, crushed eggshell, limestone. Our calcium options cover the full range

Substrate depth: 10 cm minimum, 15 cm preferred. Ghana Olive Millipedes burrow extensively, particularly when moulting, and adequate depth supports natural behaviour and reduces stress.

Humidity and Temperature

Maintain humidity at 70–90%. The tropical forest and tree savannah origin means properly damp conditions are required, but not waterlogged — the substrate should feel damp throughout without standing water. Daily light misting maintains the humidity level; the deep substrate provides longer-term moisture buffer.

Temperature should be 22–28 °C. UK ambient summer room temperature is generally suitable, but supplementary heating is typically needed through autumn-to-spring. A low-wattage heat mat on a thermostat, mounted on the side of the enclosure, provides supplementary warmth. Don't let temperatures drop below 20 °C consistently — Ghana Olive Millipedes are properly tropical and don't tolerate sustained cool conditions.

The wild population experiences seasonal humidity variation (rainy season vs dry season in West African tree savannah). Captive husbandry doesn't need to replicate these cycles, but Ghana Olive Millipedes do tolerate modest seasonal variation in humidity better than uniform-tropical species — properly useful for keepers managing winter conditions in cooler UK homes.

Diet

Ghana Olive Millipedes are properly ravenous detritivores. Multiple specialist sources describe them as "the dustbins of the millipede world" — they'll accept practically anything organic. Primary diet:

• Hardwood leaf litter — the dietary foundation. Always have generous amounts available. Browse our accessories collection for ready-prepared leaf litter
• Rotting hardwood — both food and habitat structure
• Organic compost / flake soil — mixed into substrate
• Mushrooms, sphagnum moss, lichen — properly readily accepted
• Fresh vegetables and fruit — cucumber, courgette, squash, apple, pear, sweet potato, carrot. Replace before mould develops
• Protein supplements — fish flakes, shrimp pellets, nutritional yeast offered occasionally support healthy growth and breeding. Browse the protein options in our accessories collection
• Calcium sources — cuttlebone, crushed eggshell, limestone. Our calcium options cover the full range

Remove uneaten fresh food after 24–48 hours to prevent mould and mite issues.

Breeding

Ghana Olive Millipedes breed properly readily in captivity once a colony is established and conditions are stable. They're social/gregarious animals — colonies of 4+ animals breed more reliably than single pairs.

Sexual dimorphism is properly visible (see Quick Care Summary above). For breeding success:

• Mixed-sex group of at least 4 animals — increases chance of compatible pairings
• Stable warm temperatures (24–27 °C)
• Consistent high humidity (75–85%)
• Deep substrate (15 cm+) with active microfauna
• Continuous leaf litter and rotten wood supply
• Calcium consistently available — properly essential for moulting and egg development
• Minimal disturbance — settled colonies breed more reliably
• Patience — eggs are laid in soil chambers and offspring emerge as miniature versions of adults after several months

Juveniles emerge pale and gradually develop the characteristic olive body colour and white-and-brown leg striping through successive moults. Don't expect immediate adult appearance in offspring.

Handling

Ghana Olive Millipedes can be handled, but properly with awareness of the defensive chemistry. Like all Spirostreptidae, the species produces benzoquinone defensive secretions when stressed — released as a dark fluid that:

• Can stain hands and surfaces (the staining is properly persistent)
• May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals
• Has a distinctive smell that lingers

For routine handling:

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling
• Don't grip the animal tightly — this triggers defensive secretion. Support gently on flat palm
• Avoid handling around face, eyes, or open wounds
• Keep away from food preparation areas
• Don't handle for extended periods — short observation handling is properly fine; prolonged handling stresses the animal and triggers secretion

The defensive chemistry isn't dangerous in the way Polydesmida hydrogen cyanide is (see our Pink Dragon Millipede for that level of concern), but it's properly real and worth respecting.

How Ghana Olive Millipedes Compare to Other Catalogue Millipedes

If you're deciding where T. aoutii fits alongside your other millipedes:

vs Burmese Beauty Millipede: Both are Spirostreptidae African giants. Burmese Beauty is sourced from Tanzania (not Burma as the misleading name suggests); larger and chunkier body. Ghana Olive is more slender, more active, more visually distinctive in leg patterning.

vs Analocostreptus gregorius African Olive Millipede: Properly different species despite the shared "African Olive" common name. A. gregorius is smaller (~12 cm), with reddish-brown or orange legs; T. aoutii reaches 16–18 cm with white-and-brown striped legs. Both are valid Spirostreptidae offerings; the species are properly distinct.

vs African Giant Chocolate Millipede: Chocolate is heavier-bodied, more uniformly coloured (dark chocolate-brown throughout), less surface-active. Ghana Olive is properly more slender, more active, and shows distinctive leg patterning.

vs Delta Banded Millipede: Delta Banded shows banding pattern on body; Ghana Olive shows leg striping but more uniform body colour. Different aesthetic options within the Spirostreptidae family.

vs Pink Dragon Millipede and Thai Rainbow Millipede: Properly different order (Polydesmida vs Spirostreptida). Polydesmida produce hydrogen cyanide defensive chemistry; Ghana Olive produces benzoquinones — properly less concentrated chemistry. Ghana Olive is also significantly larger (16–18 cm vs 25–30 mm). Different keeping experiences entirely.

Who Should Buy Ghana Olive Millipedes?

Ideal for:

• First-time keepers of African giant millipedes — the easy difficulty and surface-active behaviour make this a properly rewarding starter species
• Display enthusiasts drawn to distinctive leg patterning and olive body colour
• Collectors building a Spirostreptidae-focused display covering multiple species
• Keepers wanting active, visible millipedes rather than reclusive burrowing species
• Bioactive vivarium builders with tropical setups
• Anyone interested in West African invertebrate biodiversity
• Keepers with vertical-format enclosures who can showcase the climbing behaviour

Not ideal for:

• Setups without consistent tropical conditions (22 °C+ year-round)
• Keepers preferring constantly-handleable species — the benzoquinone chemistry rules out frequent handling
• Anyone wanting genuinely rare species — Ghana Olive Millipedes are properly established in UK trade
• Setups with only shallow substrate — the burrowing behaviour requires depth

Realistic Expectations

The colouration varies between individuals. The "Olive" name reflects the average colour expression but individual animals range from darker olive-green to coppery-brown tones. This variation is properly normal for the species and isn't a sign of stress or health issues. Across a colony, the overall olive character is consistent even with individual variation.

The leg striping is properly diagnostic. If your animals don't show clear white-and-brown striped legs, double-check the species identification — T. aoutii is genuinely recognisable by its leg patterning. Look out for confusion with other African Spirostreptidae sold under similar olive names, which may have plain or differently-marked legs.

They climb. If you don't provide vertical structure, the species's natural climbing behaviour can't express itself, and you'll get less display value from the enclosure. Setup with cork bark or branches positioned vertically rather than just flat on the substrate.

The defensive chemistry is genuinely real. Don't dismiss the benzoquinone secretions as a curiosity — they stain hands properly persistently and can irritate sensitive skin. Wash hands after handling and avoid handling around food preparation or face/eyes.

Surface activity is one of the key appeals. Unlike many millipedes that hide most of the time, Ghana Olive Millipedes are properly visible during day and evening hours. If you want a display millipede you'll actually see, this delivers. If you'd rather a reclusive species that occasionally surfaces, other African giants suit better.

The species is properly long-lived. 5+ years is the typical lifespan expectation. Plan for the long-term care commitment before acquiring.

UK escape isn't an environmental risk. UK outdoor conditions are properly too cool for tropical West African Spirostreptidae to establish wild populations. Recapture escapees promptly as colony preservation rather than environmental concern.