Spirostreptus spec. 8 “Green Fairy”

Brief description:

Spirostreptus spec. 8 is a large species of diplopod originating from Cameroon. It can reach a length of up to 26 cm. In its native country, this species prefers to live in damp, shady forests. The animals are easy to keep, but not easy to breed, which is why we have classified them as “medium” in terms of difficulty. Unfortunately, this beautiful, large species is rarely offered in Germany. Sometimes the species is also found under the name “Green-Striped-Millipede”.

Spirostreptus spec. 8 has a green and black ringed body. This has earned this species the nickname “green fairytale”. The legs are slightly ringed. The antennae of these diplopods are dark, the eyes are black. In males, the 7th segment is thickened. Spirostreptus spec. 8 develop the green color with increasing age. When they are still young, the animals are mostly brown.

The tank for Spirostreptus spec. 8 should not be less than 60 cm long. The substrate must be at least 10-15 cm high. The animals can hardly be seen on the surface when they are young, but this changes from a length of approx. 5 cm and they can often be observed. The temperature in the terrarium should be between 23°C and 26°C and should always be introduced into the terrarium from above. The humidity should be around 80%. Spirostreptus spec. 8, like most other species, is crepuscular and nocturnal, which is why additional lighting is not necessary. The substrate can be protected from drying out with leaves, cork bark and mosses. This species is not a particularly good climber, but you can still see them sitting on branches. I would therefore always offer them some. Additional food in the form of millipede food, pellets and pollen is readily eaten. If there are young animals in the terrarium, make sure that there is always enough white rotten wood and leaves available. The species only releases defensive secretions very rarely and then only very little. Cork bark or nutshells are readily accepted as shelter.