This may prove to be a challenge because the USDA wardsci.com: [1] has halted importation of the giant African millipede. They fear it will become an invasive species. Your best bet is to surf the Internet, or go to reptile shows, where arthropods are also for sale. Pet shops may have them, but not as often as they used to. Call pet shops and ask, then get referrals to other stores if they do not stock giant African millipedes.

Sellers may have other giant millipedes to choose from, but the 10" full-grown size of the giant African millipede, plus its shiny black exterior, makes it the one most sought after. Prepare to pay upwards of $40.00 for them.

Giant African millipedes need warmth. They need to be maintained at about 75ºF - 80ºF. Provide heat with a reptile heating pad anapsid.org: [1] stuck underneath the bottom of the glass tank, so it doesn't get too hot. A stick-on reptile thermometer will monitor the temperature.

From time to time, millipedes like to burrow. Provide them with at least 3 inches of substrate on the bottom of the tank. Good millipede substrates or "bedding" are coco fiber, peat moss or a peat moss/soil mixture with no harmful chemicals. All of these are available in pet stores specializing in reptiles. The substrate needs to be fairly smooth, or bits and pieces get into their feet and make them miserable. If it is too coarse, their feet get stuck.

Include a good-sized clump or sphagnum moss in the aquarium. It provides moisture, texture, and something to nibble on. Often, the millipede will choose this as its bed. The habitat is also known as a vivarium or terrarium. Pieces of bark or dried leaves provide places to hide and something interesting for the millipede to investigate.

Giant African millipedes need moisture. The substrate should be kept damp, not wet. You will need to spray a mist around the habitat every other day with a spray bottle. Millipedes need to be "misted" and warm. If they get too dry or too cold, they will die.

What does a Giant African Millipede eat? A giant African millipede is primarily a vegetarian, and will do best with fruits, vegetables and leafy greens that have a high water content.www.petbugs.com: [1] A leaf of Romaine lettuce (iceberg or head lettuce does not have enough nutrients), dark leafy greens, a slice of apple, cucumber slices with the rind peeled off, carrots bananas, tomatoes, and melons are are good choices for the millipede. Do not feed it any citrus, as it is too acidic. Remove any excess food when you clean the millipede habitat.

There is a symbiotic relationship between giant African millipedes and tiny bugs resembling mites which spend their lives living on the millipede's legs. The tiny insects keep the millipede clean, and the millipede provides food for these creatures as they clean the arthropod.

Often, when the giant African millipede curves its body while in motion, it resembles a question mark or a letter. For this reason, they are very popular with children, who wait to see what the millipede will "spell." They are very durable - an added plus with kids.

If they feel they are in danger, millipedes have two means of defense. They curl into a tight ball, resembling a spiral. Don’t forget, this can also be a millipede at rest, so not always an indicator of an unhappy millipede. Also, millipedes are able to discharge a secretion of liquid from their pores. The liquid is more smelly than dangerous, but wash your hands. It can be an irritant if it gets in your eyes.