Red Rocks Exotic Reptiles
Back to Main Site

Ivory Millipede Care Guide

Chicobolus spinigerus

Beginner-friendly Terrestrial Detritivore

Ivory millipedes are sturdy southeastern U.S. detritivores that thrive when their enclosure is built around deep, moist, edible substrate rather than decorative bedding alone.

The substrate is part of the diet. Leaf litter and decayed hardwood are essential long-term foods, not optional decoration.
Download Full Care Guide View All Care Guides

Enclosure Requirements

  • A ventilated 10-gallon enclosure works well for a small adult group; floor space and substrate depth matter more than height.
  • Use a secure lid with cross-ventilation and enough cover to prevent a stagnant, airtight setup.
  • Provide cork, hardwood, moss, and leaf litter for security and normal exploration.

Temperature and Humidity

  • Maintain about 70-80°F; normal room temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s are ideal.
  • Typical humidity may fall around 65-80%, but substrate moisture is more important than chasing one hygrometer number.
  • Keep lower substrate like a wrung-out sponge while allowing the surface to dry slightly between mistings.

Substrate and Primary Diet

  • Provide at least 4-6 inches of pesticide-free topsoil mixed with decaying hardwood leaf litter and soft white-rotted hardwood.
  • The substrate is the primary food source and should be replenished as leaves and wood are consumed.
  • Do not use plain coco fiber as the main long-term substrate, and avoid cedar, pine, treated wood, fertilizer, and pesticide-exposed material.

Feeding and Calcium

  • Offer small supplemental portions of vegetables and occasional fruit 1-3 times weekly; remove leftovers before they spoil.
  • A tiny amount of supplemental protein can be offered about weekly, but it does not replace leaves and rotten wood.
  • Keep a calcium source such as cuttlebone, calcium carbonate, or finely crushed eggshell available.

Molting, Handling and Groups

  • Never dig up a buried millipede unless there is a true emergency; underground molting animals are extremely vulnerable.
  • Ivories can live peacefully in same-species groups when space and food are adequate, and mixed-sex groups may breed.
  • Handle briefly and gently over a safe surface; defensive fluid can stain or irritate, so wash hands afterward.