Atopochetus spinimargo

Brief description:

Atopochetus spinimargo originates from the east of Thailand to Vietnam. Eastern Thailand is also known as Isaan and is crossed by many rivers, above all the Mekong and the Mun. Here you will find green river landscapes, dense rainforests with waterfalls. Atopochetus spinimargo is at home in these damp to wet habitats. It regularly burrows into the ground to moult. The substrate can also be muddy, as is familiar from snail terrariums. Atopochetus spinimargo is therefore also very suitable as a companion animal in a snail terrarium.

The legs are relatively long, as is usual for climbing millipedes. Therefore, there should also be sufficient climbing opportunities in the terrarium.

A special feature of Atopochetus spinimargo is the following: The two sexes are colored differently in the adult stage. The males have black legs and the segments are also deep black in color, providing a great contrast to the brown. In contrast, the females have reddish feet and the segments are grayish. The juveniles all look the same and are therefore visually indistinguishable.

Daytime temperatures of 26-28 °C have proven to be suitable for keeping this species. The animals are crepuscular and nocturnal when young. However, this changes when they are adults. Apparently their self-confidence then increases to such an extent that they also like to be seen running around on branches and on the ground during the day. When reaching the temperatures in the terrarium, it is important to always place the heat source from above and never from below! The substrate should always be kept half moist. A humidity of 75-90% is closest to the conditions of their natural habitat. The substrate can also be covered with leaves, pieces of bark or moss. This helps to protect it from drying out.

This species is also suitable for beginners as it is very active and can survive longer, drier periods unscathed. A community tank with tropical snails and the Cubaris species, which also originate from Thailand, is ideal.