{"product_id":"thai-ruby-banded-millipede-thyropygus-sp","title":"Thai Ruby Banded Millipede (Thyropygus sp.)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA properly striking giant millipede from Thailand and surrounding Southeast Asia, the Thai Ruby Banded Millipede combines an impressive dark cylindrical body with bright red bands, legs, and antennae. Adults reach 12-18cm in length, making them one of the more dramatic millipede options available in the UK hobby. They're members of the Spirostreptidae family — the giant millipedes — and share the characteristic slow, deliberate movement and gentle nature of the group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You're Getting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003eThyropygus\u003c\/em\u003e sp. (specific species varies by import)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e — Thailand and surrounding Southeast Asian forests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e — 12-18cm typical, some specimens slightly larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppearance\u003c\/strong\u003e — dark glossy body with prominent red bands, red legs and antennae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly long-lived, typically 5-7 years in captivity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e — calm, slow-moving, primarily nocturnal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty level\u003c\/strong\u003e — intermediate; not as forgiving as common isopods but accessible for keepers with bioactive experience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHusbandry Essentials\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEnclosure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e — minimum 30L for a small group; larger preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrientation\u003c\/strong\u003e — primarily floor space rather than height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVentilation\u003c\/strong\u003e — moderate; balance humidity retention with airflow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid\u003c\/strong\u003e — secure but ventilated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeep substrate is properly critical for these burrowing millipedes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth\u003c\/strong\u003e — minimum 10-15cm; deeper if possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComposition\u003c\/strong\u003e — coconut fibre or peat-free compost mixed with decaying hardwood pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTopping\u003c\/strong\u003e — generous layer of oak, beech, or magnolia leaf litter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalcium\u003c\/strong\u003e — cuttlebone or crushed shells always available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecaying wood\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly essential dietary component\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/accessories\"\u003eaccessories collection\u003c\/a\u003e for leaf litter, decaying wood, cuttlebone, and substrate components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTemperature and Humidity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e — 22-26°C ideal; tolerates 20-28°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e — 70-85% with proper ventilation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e — mist regularly, ensure substrate stays moist but not waterlogged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUK keepers will typically need supplemental heating during winter months — a heat mat with thermostat works well, positioned to one side of the enclosure to create a gradient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThai Ruby Banded Millipedes are properly detritivores:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStaple\u003c\/strong\u003e — decaying hardwood and leaf litter (the foundation of their diet)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVegetables\u003c\/strong\u003e — cucumber, sweet potato, carrot, leafy greens (offered in moderation)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit\u003c\/strong\u003e — occasional banana, apple, melon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalcium\u003c\/strong\u003e — cuttlebone, crushed eggshell, calcium-rich substrate additions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid\u003c\/strong\u003e — citrus, anything with pesticides, processed foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove uneaten fresh food within 24-48 hours to prevent mould.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant Safety Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDefensive Chemistry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most Spirostreptidae millipedes, Thai Ruby Banded Millipedes secrete defensive chemicals (benzoquinones) when stressed or threatened. Properly worth knowing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe secretion can stain skin temporarily (typically brown\/purple)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWash hands thoroughly after handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever rub eyes or face after contact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep handling brief and gentle to minimise stress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePesticide Sensitivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMillipedes are properly extremely sensitive to pesticides — far more than isopods. Properly critical:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse only organic, pesticide-free leaf litter and wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid garden centre plants treated with systemic insecticides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep enclosure away from rooms where insecticide sprays are used\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever use flea treatments on pets in the same room\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBioactive Setup Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThai Ruby Banded Millipedes work well in bioactive setups alongside other detritivores:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIsopods\u003c\/strong\u003e — most species coexist peacefully; tropical isopods share similar climate needs. Browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/isopods-for-sale\"\u003eisopods collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpringtails\u003c\/strong\u003e — proper bioactive partners that complement millipede activity. Browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/springtails-for-sale\"\u003espringtails collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther millipedes\u003c\/strong\u003e — typically peaceful with conspecifics and other species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperly worth being aware that millipedes will sometimes eat eggs or very small mancae from isopod colonies, though established colonies typically outpace any predation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHandling\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperly minimal handling is best for these millipedes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow them to walk across your hand rather than picking them up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever grip the body — risk of damage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep handling sessions brief\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWash hands thoroughly afterwards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid handling during or after moulting (vulnerable period)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Arrival\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll our millipedes are shipped with proper packaging and our standard live arrival guarantee. Browse our wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/millipedes-for-sale\"\u003emillipedes collection\u003c\/a\u003e for other available species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PostPods","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":57531384955262,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"5","offer_id":57531384988030,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"10","offer_id":57531385020798,"sku":null,"price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/0707\/2294\/files\/Thai_Ruby_Banded_Millipedes.jpg?v=1781095381","url":"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/thai-ruby-banded-millipede-thyropygus-sp","provider":"Isopods For Sale UK | PostPods","version":"1.0","type":"link"}