Thai Ruby Banded Millipede (Thyropygus sp.)

A striking giant millipede from Thailand, the Thai Ruby Banded Millipede combines an impressive dark cylindrical body with bright red bands, legs, and antennae. Adults reach 10 to 14cm, which is where the described Thai Thyropygus sit when they are measured, and that still makes them one of the more dramatic millipede options available in the UK hobby. They belong to the family Harpagophoridae, in the same order (Spirostreptida) as the African giant millipedes, and share the characteristic slow, deliberate movement and gentle nature of the group.

What You're Getting

• Species: Thyropygus sp. (the exact species varies from batch to batch)
• Origin: Thailand (trade report; no collection locality published)
• Adult size: 10 to 14cm, matching the published range for described Thai Thyropygus
• Appearance: dark glossy body with prominent red bands, red legs and antennae
• Lifespan: large millipedes can live for several years, but ours are wild-caught animals of unknown age, so how long each one lives in your care will vary
• Behaviour: calm, slow-moving, primarily nocturnal
• Difficulty level: intermediate; not as forgiving as common isopods but accessible for keepers with bioactive experience

Husbandry Essentials

Enclosure

• Size: minimum 30L for a small group; larger preferred
• Orientation: primarily floor space rather than height
• Ventilation: moderate; balance humidity retention with airflow
• Lid: secure but ventilated

Substrate

Deep substrate is critical for these burrowing millipedes:

• Depth: minimum 10-15cm; deeper if possible
• Composition: flake soil, white-rotted hardwood and organic topsoil, not coir, which holds moisture but feeds nothing to an animal that eats its bed
• Topping: generous layer of oak, beech, or magnolia leaf litter
• Calcium: cuttlebone or crushed shells always available
• Decaying wood: essential dietary component

Browse our accessories collection for leaf litter, decaying wood, cuttlebone, and substrate components.

Temperature and Humidity

• Temperature: 22-26°C ideal; tolerates 20-28°C
• Humidity: 70-85% with good ventilation
• Maintenance: keep the substrate evenly damp all the way down, never waterlogged; misting only freshens the surface litter

A British room sits below 22°C through the colder months, so plan on a heat mat or cable on a thermostat then, fixed to one side wall and never underneath, which also gives the enclosure a warm end and a cool end; in summer most homes come close enough that it has little to do.

Diet

Thai Ruby Banded Millipedes are detritivores:

• Staple: decaying hardwood and leaf litter (the foundation of their diet)
• Vegetables: cucumber, sweet potato, carrot, leafy greens (offered in moderation)
• Fruit: occasional banana, apple, melon
• Calcium: cuttlebone, crushed eggshell, calcium-rich substrate additions
• Avoid: citrus, anything with pesticides, processed foods

Remove uneaten fresh food within 24-48 hours to prevent mould.

Important Safety Notes

Defensive Chemistry

Like other millipedes in the order Spirostreptida, Thai Ruby Banded Millipedes secrete defensive chemicals (benzoquinones) when stressed or threatened. Worth knowing:

• The secretion can stain skin temporarily (typically brown/purple)
• It irritates skin if it is left on, and in an eye it causes a chemical burn that needs treating
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling
• Never rub eyes or face after contact
• Keep handling brief and gentle to minimise stress

Pesticide Sensitivity

Millipedes are extremely sensitive to pesticides, far more than isopods. Critical:

• Use only organic, pesticide-free leaf litter and wood
• Avoid garden centre plants treated with systemic insecticides
• Keep enclosure away from rooms where insecticide sprays are used
• Never use flea treatments on pets in the same room

Bioactive Setup Compatibility

Thai Ruby Banded Millipedes work well in bioactive setups alongside other detritivores:

• Isopods: calm species are fine, but not fast breeders such as Powders or Dairy Cows, which can swarm a moulting millipede. Browse our isopods collection
• Springtails: good bioactive partners that complement millipede activity. Browse our springtails collection
• Other millipedes: peaceful with their own kind, but keep to one species per enclosure

Worth being aware that millipedes will sometimes eat eggs or very small mancae from isopod colonies, though established colonies typically outpace any predation.

Handling

Minimal handling is best for these millipedes:

• Allow them to walk across your hand rather than picking them up
• Never grip the body: risk of damage
• Keep handling sessions brief
• Wash hands thoroughly afterwards
• Avoid handling during or after moulting (vulnerable period)

Live Arrival

Ours are wild-caught. Every Thai Ruby we send is boxed double-walled around a ventilated tub of damp sphagnum and travels under our live arrival guarantee. Browse our wider millipedes collection for other available species.