Telodeinopus assiensis “West African millipede”

Telodeinopus assiensis – an impressive West African millipede

Telodeinopus assiensis, the West African millipede, is a large and attractive millipede native to tropical West Africa. Its elongated body, numerous legs, and striking coloration make it a fascinating addition to naturalistic terrariums.

But Telodeinopus assiensis isn’t just interesting to look at. Like other large diplopods, it spends a lot of time foraging through the substrate, decomposing leaves, and burrowing through the substrate. As a result, a well-set-up terrarium becomes an object of observation in its own right.

The type of substrate is particularly important in this context. For a millipede, the substrate is not merely a piece of decor. It also serves as a habitat, a hiding place, a place to molt, and the most important source of food.

Telodeinopus assiensis is native to West Africa

Telodeinopus assiensis was described by Cook in 1897. The species is native to tropical West Africa and is scientifically associated in particular with the Ivory Coast.

The species name “assiensis” refers to Assinie on the coast of what is now Côte d’Ivoire.

This means that this millipede comes from a warm region where organic material such as leaves and decaying wood plays an important role on the forest floor.

This is exactly the habitat we’re trying to recreate in the terrarium.

Up to about 20 cm in body length

Telodeinopus assiensis is one of the larger millipedes kept in terrariums.

Adult animals can reach a body length of approximately 15–20 cm. Some individuals remain smaller, while particularly large animals can approach the upper limit.

The body is long and relatively slender. As a result, despite its considerable length, this species appears less massive than, for example, some members of the genus Archispirostreptus.

The many body segments and pairs of legs create the characteristic wave-like motion when they walk, which is what makes millipedes so fascinating.

An attractive illustration with strong contrast

Telodeinopus assiensis also has a lot to offer visually.

The dark base color is complemented by lighter to yellowish-brown areas. The numerous legs, in particular, stand out clearly from the body.

Depending on the lighting, stage of development, and the individual animal, the coloration may appear to vary in intensity.

The natural pattern really stands out beautifully, especially on dark forest humus, among brown fallen leaves and white-rotted wood.

A peaceful inhabitant for the forest terrarium

The West African millipede is one of the more peaceful terrarium animals.

He spends a large part of his time foraging for food. While doing so, he runs across the surface, disappears under leaves, or burrows completely into the substrate.

The fact that an animal is not visible at all from time to time is therefore no cause for concern.

Just before molting, millipedes often retreat deep into the substrate. There, they create a sheltered area for themselves and sometimes remain hidden for long periods of time.

The substrate is crucial for Telodeinopus assiensis

For almost no other group of animals is the quality of the substrate as important as it is for millipedes.

We therefore recommend our millipede substrate.

It consists of further-fermented organic material, including fermented leaves and white-rot wood. As a result, it contains precisely those plant components that are particularly important for the diet of diplopods.

The substrate should not be mixed with other types of soil. Doing so would simply dilute the proportion of usable nutrients.

At least 10–15 cm of substrate depth

For adult Telodeinopus assiensis, the substrate should be laid down to a sufficient depth.

We recommend at least about 10–15 cm; if the terrarium is tall enough, feel free to use more.

The reason is simple: millipedes don’t just live on the substrate—they also live inside it.

They burrow, rest, and molt underground. At the same time, they search there for usable organic material.

A thin layer of soil cannot fulfill these functions.

The substrate is also the most important source of food

This point is often underestimated in the centipede pose.

Telodeinopus assiensis needs more than just fruits and vegetables.

Their primary food source consists of decomposed leaves and wood in the white rot stage. That is exactly why we use a special millipede substrate.

In addition, there should always be a layer of fallen leaves on the surface. They will gradually decompose and be eaten by the animals.

White rot-infected wood should also be provided on a regular basis.

This means the diet is much more closely aligned with the natural processes of a forest floor than with a traditional food bowl.

Fruits and vegetables are only supplemental foods

Fruit and vegetables can also be offered.

Good choices include, for example, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, apples, or pumpkin.

However, these are considered supplemental feed.

A millipede should never rely primarily on cucumbers or fruit for food. Feeding leaves, white-rotted wood, and a high-quality millipede substrate form the much more important foundation.

You should also check fresh supplemental feed regularly and remove it before it spoils or becomes heavily moldy.

Lime is a must-have in a terrarium

In addition to plant material, Telodeinopus assiensis requires a reliable source of calcium.

Cuttlefish shells, for example, are suitable for this purpose.

The animals can eat from it as needed and thus get additional minerals.

Mineral intake plays an important role, especially during growth and around the time of molting.

The cuttlebone can simply be placed on the substrate and replaced as needed.

Keep it warm and tropical

Telodeinopus assiensis thrives in a warm temperature range.

As a general guideline, we recommend keeping the temperature between about 23 and 27 °C during the day. At night, the temperature can drop slightly.

You shouldn’t try to heat the entire substrate too much.

A heating mat under the terrarium is not suitable, because millipedes usually burrow downward when looking for cooler, sheltered areas.

If the most intense heat were to come from below of all places, this natural behavior would no longer work.

Moist, but never soggy

The substrate for Telodeinopus assiensis should maintain a consistent level of moisture.

However, it must not be wet or muddy.

A moisture gradient is ideal. One part of the soil can be kept slightly moister, while other areas are less moist.

This allows the millipede to choose for itself.

At the same time, good ventilation is important. After all, keeping them in tropical conditions does not mean that the terrarium should be filled with stagnant, humid air at all times.

Leaves protect the soil from drying out

A thicker layer of fallen leaves serves several purposes at once.

It serves as food and provides hiding places at the same time. It also reduces direct evaporation from the substrate beneath it.

This creates a stable microclimate.

Visually, too, a terrarium with a natural layer of leaves looks much more authentic than one with a completely exposed substrate.

Little by little, the leaves are eaten and decomposed. That’s why you should regularly add new leaves as food.

White-rot wood is part of the basic supply

White-rotted wood is not a decorative material, but an important part of the diet.

As a result of advanced decomposition, the wood becomes soft and can be consumed by diplopods.

You can place larger pieces directly on top of or partially into the substrate.

This creates both natural structures and secluded areas.

If the wood is gradually decaying, that’s exactly what we want. It’s precisely in this condition that it becomes particularly attractive to millipedes.

Molting Underground

If Telodeinopus assiensis suddenly burrows into the substrate and doesn’t reappear for a while, you shouldn’t go looking for it right away.

A molting may be imminent.

During this phase, the millipede is particularly vulnerable. Its new exoskeleton is soft at first and must first harden completely.

That’s why you should never dig up an animal that’s been buried just to check if everything is okay.

A substrate that is sufficiently deep and suitable allows the animal to carry out this important process undisturbed.

Keeping them in groups is no problem

Telodeinopus assiensis can generally be kept with several other individuals of the same species.

The animals are peaceful and do not exhibit any pronounced territorial behavior.

Of course, the size of the terrarium must be adjusted to the number and size of the animals.

It is especially important to have enough substrate. The more millipedes there are in the terrarium, the faster the organic matter in the substrate will be consumed.

That’s why you should check the condition of the substrate regularly.

When does the substrate need to be replaced?

Over time, the organic material in the substrate is consumed.

You can tell when the substrate is worn out because its original loose structure gradually disappears, leaving behind more and more fine, crumbly material or feces.

Then it’s time to replace some of the substrate.

In the case of an active terrarium, it isn’t necessarily necessary to remove everything at once.

What is important, however, is to regularly replenish the supply of sufficiently nutrient-rich material.

A fascinating animal for natural-looking terrariums

Telodeinopus assiensis is particularly interesting if you want to observe not only the animal itself but also a small, functioning forest terrarium.

Leaves are decomposed, wood is slowly eaten away, and the substrate is constantly being dug through.

As a result, the terrarium is constantly changing.

For many owners, that is precisely what makes the “centipede position” so appealing.

Advantages at a glance

• Telodeinopus assiensis (Cook, 1897)
• German name: West African millipede
• Origin: West Africa
• Has a special connection to Côte d’Ivoire / Ivory Coast
• Body length approximately 15–20 cm
• Peaceful, large bichon
• Group housing is possible
• Temperature approximately 23–27 °C
• A substrate that is evenly moist but not wet
• At least 10–15 cm of substrate depth
• Millipede substrate as a habitat and food source
• Leaves as an Important Source of Long-Term Nutrition
• White-rot wood as an important part of the diet
• Fruits and vegetables only as a supplement
• Provide a source of calcium
• Molting takes place in the substrate, where the animal is protected
• No heat source under the terrarium

Suitable accessories for your setup

Millipede Terrarium Complete Set – provides a suitable environment for keeping Telodeinopus assiensis in a natural setting.

Insektenliebe Millipede Starter Kit – includes basic equipment designed specifically for keeping millipedes.

Millipede substrate —serves as both a habitat and an important food source, and contains fermented leaves and white-rotted wood.

Leaves for feeding —part of basic care, serve as food and, at the same time, create a natural layer of leaves on the substrate.

White-rot wood —provides important decomposed wood components and should be permanently available to Telodeinopus assiensis.

Insektenliebe Futterfels – allows for the hygienic provision of supplemental food and prevents soft supplemental food from lying directly in the damp substrate.

Conclusion

Telodeinopus assiensis is an impressive millipede for anyone who is fascinated by naturalistic forest terrariums and the calm behavior of large diplopods.

With a body length of about 15–20 cm, the West African millipede reaches an impressive size. Nevertheless, caring for it isn’t complicated as long as one crucial factor is right: the substrate.

A high-quality millipede substrate, fallen leaves, and white-rotted wood serve as both a habitat and the primary food source. Fruit and vegetables, on the other hand, serve only as a supplement.

The substrate should be filled to a depth of at least 10–15 cm and kept evenly moist without allowing water to pool. Temperatures around 23–27 °C are a good guideline.

It is also particularly important to leave burrowing animals undisturbed. Telodeinopus assiensis uses the substrate not only as a hiding place but also for its delicate molts.

If you keep these basics in mind, Telodeinopus assiensis will make a peaceful, large, and exceptionally interesting inhabitant for a naturally set-up tropical terrarium.