{"id":149882,"date":"2019-04-13T21:09:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T21:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insektenliebe.com\/shop\/produkt\/unident-spec-african-grey\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T12:37:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T10:37:32","slug":"unident-spec-african-grey","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/insektenliebe.com\/en\/shop\/product\/unident-spec-african-grey\/","title":{"rendered":"Unident. spec. “African Grey”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong> \u2013 the silver-gray millipede from Africa<\/span><\/h2>\n

With its silver-gray to gray-brown coloration<\/strong>, it has Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong> an exceptionally elegant appearance. While many African millipedes stand out with their bold shades of red, orange, or brown, this species features a much more subtle color palette. <\/p>\n

Its evenly segmented body and numerous legs are particularly striking as the animal moves slowly across leaves, wood, and the forest floor. This creates the characteristic waves of movement along its body. <\/p>\n

However, the designation \u201cUnident. spec.\u201d<\/strong> already makes it clear that this is not a scientifically determined species name. \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d is the name used in the terrarium hobby to refer to this African form, which has not yet been definitively identified. <\/p>\n

For this reason, we deliberately refrain from assigning it a specific genus, an exact range, or other species-specific characteristics until a definitive identification has been made.<\/p>\n

However, this is not an obstacle to keeping them. Under the right conditions, these animals are easy to care for and display the interesting digging, feeding, and exploratory behaviors that make large African millipedes so fascinating. <\/p>\n

What does Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

“Unident.” stands for ” unidentified<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

This is important because a trade name must not be confused with a valid scientific species name.<\/p>\n

At Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong> So we know that this is an African millipede. However, we cannot definitively identify it at the species level. <\/p>\n

The term \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d<\/strong> primarily describes the animals\u2019 characteristic appearance and also makes it possible to recognize this variety within the terrarium hobby.<\/p>\n

Until a scientifically sound identification is available, this cautious designation makes more sense than hastily assigning a species name to the animal.<\/p>\n

Silver-gray instead of bright and colorful<\/span><\/h3>\n

Its most striking feature is its subtle coloration.<\/p>\n

Depending on the animal and the lighting ,<\/strong> its body appears silver-gray, gray, or gray-brown<\/strong>. This creates a calm, almost metallic overall impression. <\/p>\n

This coloration stands out particularly beautifully in a natural forest terrarium with brown leaf litter, dark substrate, and wood.<\/p>\n

However, \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d should not be understood as a precisely defined color standard. Individual birds may appear slightly lighter or darker. <\/p>\n

A quiet inhabitant of the forest floor<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong> is a peaceful millipede.<\/p>\n

The animals spend a large part of their active time searching the ground for edible plant material.<\/p>\n

As they do so, they run through the layer of leaves, examine pieces of wood, and regularly disappear completely into the substrate.<\/p>\n

This is exactly the behavior you should take into account when setting things up.<\/p>\n

A millipede terrarium doesn’t thrive on as many decorations as possible. What’s crucial is a deep, nutrient-rich substrate<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

The substrate serves as both a habitat and a food source<\/span><\/h3>\n

For Unidentified species \u201cAfrican Grey\u201d <\/strong> We recommend our special millipede substrate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It contains fermented leaves and wood affected by white rot. As a result, it serves not only as a substrate suitable for burrowing but also as an important food source. <\/p>\n

Because millipedes are decomposers.<\/p>\n

They break down dead and already decomposed plant material, thereby contributing to the further decomposition of organic matter in nature.<\/p>\n

For terrarium keeping, this means that the substrate is an essential part of the diet.<\/p>\n

Our millipede substrate should therefore not be mixed with other substrates<\/strong>. Doing so would simply reduce the proportion of usable organic material. <\/p>\n

Fill with at least 10\u201315 cm<\/strong> of substrate<\/span><\/h3>\n

The substrate should be at least 10\u201315 cm<\/strong> deep. For larger animals and a terrarium suitable for them, it can certainly be even deeper. <\/p>\n

This is because millipedes regularly burrow themselves completely underground.<\/p>\n

There, they look for suitable humid areas, retreat, and molt safely underground.<\/p>\n

At the same time, a natural moisture gradient develops in a deep substrate.<\/p>\n

The surface may dry out slightly in some places, while the deeper areas remain moist for longer.<\/p>\n

Food leaves belong in the terrarium at all times<\/span><\/h3>\n

In addition, there should be a generous layer of fallen leaves<\/strong> on the ground.<\/p>\n

The leaves serve several purposes at once.<\/p>\n

It serves as a natural food source, provides cover, and at the same time reduces evaporation from the substrate beneath it.<\/p>\n

Over time, the leaves continue to decompose and are eaten by millipedes.<\/p>\n

That’s why you should add new content regularly.<\/p>\n

So a forest floor with a thick layer of leaf litter not only looks natural but also serves an important practical purpose.<\/p>\n

White-rot-decayed wood as an important component of the diet<\/span><\/h3>\n

White rot-infected wood<\/strong> is also part of the basic supply.<\/p>\n

This is wood that has already decomposed significantly and has become soft and, in some places, brittle.<\/p>\n

It is clearly different from hard, dry branches, which are used solely for decoration.<\/p>\n

White-rotten wood can be placed directly on the substrate or partially buried.<\/p>\n

This allows the animals to gradually utilize it.<\/p>\n

Vegetables complement a natural diet<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can also offer a variety of vegetables.<\/p>\n

The following, for example, are particularly suitable:<\/p>\n