American Giant Millipede; the perfect invertebrate pet?
- Jordan the Bug Man
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 23
🌿 Why the American Giant Millipede Is The Best Invertebrate Pet
If you’re looking for a hardy, fascinating, and beginner-friendly invertebrate to keep, the American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) might just be the perfect choice. Known for its slow movements, peaceful nature, and long lifespan, this native species is a gentle giant with a lot to offer keepers of all experience levels.
For Canadian hobbyists in particular, this species has one major advantage—it’s currently the only giant millipede species legal to keep in Canada.
Here’s why Narceus americanus stands out as one of the best pet invertebrates available today.
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🐛 1. Legal to Keep in Canada
Canada has strict import and possession regulations when it comes to millipedes, especially large exotic species. The American Giant Millipede, however, is a native species, and as of now, it remains the only giant millipede legal to keep across the country.
This makes it the go-to option for Canadian enthusiasts looking to keep a large, display-worthy millipede without navigating complex permits or risking confiscation.
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🍽️ 2. Eats Decaying Matter—Including Flake Soil
As a detritivore, Narceus americanus feeds on decaying organic matter like leaf litter, rotting wood, and other natural debris. This makes it both easy and inexpensive to feed.
One highly effective food source in captivity is flake soil—a fermented substrate rich in decomposed wood and microbial life. It mimics the forest floor the millipedes would naturally inhabit and offers excellent nutrition when mixed with other materials like leaf litter and moss.
Flake soil is also long-lasting, easy to store, and contributes to overall enclosure health—making it a practical solution for long-term feeding.
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🧘 3. Gentle, Calm, and Safe to Handle
The American Giant Millipede is as non-threatening as they come. It doesn’t bite, sting, or move quickly—and it generally tolerates gentle handling without stress. When startled, it simply curls into a tight spiral to protect itself.
This calm temperament makes it a favorite for:
New hobbyists
Educators and classrooms
Children (with adult supervision)
People with sensory needs who enjoy slow, predictable interactions
It's a pet you can enjoy watching, handling, or simply keeping as a quiet member of your indoor terrarium.
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🕰️ 4. Long Lifespan with Low Upkeep
With a lifespan of 7–10 years in captivity, this is one of the longest-living pet invertebrates available. It doesn’t require daily feeding, elaborate heating setups, or constant maintenance—just a consistently moist, leaf-litter-rich environment and the occasional calcium source like cuttlebone.
It’s a long-term, low-effort companion ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy the invertebrate hobby without constant upkeep.
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📦 5. Ethically and Sustainably Available in Canada
Since this species is native, it can be responsibly bred and raised within Canada—no overseas imports required. This not only supports local breeders but ensures that you’re acquiring animals that are legal, ethical, and adapted to your climate.
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🧬 In Summary: A Perfect Introduction to Invertebrate Keeping
The American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) checks every box:
✅ Legal in Canada
✅ Beginner-friendly and low-maintenance
✅ Long lifespan
✅ Safe to handle and enjoyable to observe
✅ Easy to feed, especially with flake soil
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🛒 Looking to get started?
At Ontario Invert Farm, we offer healthy, captive-bred American Giant Millipedes as well as high-quality flake soil made specifically for millipedes, isopods, and other decomposers.
Whether you’re setting up your first terrarium or expanding your collection, we’re here to help you build a thriving and naturalistic enclosure.
📸 Share your setups or ask us questions in the comments below
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