Loops Orthoporus ornatus - Texas Gold Millipede

Hey guys. Bought this beautiful girl from the past insect expo. Really happy with this purchase.

Her name is Charles. Named her AFTER i found out how to sex them, and i'm 95% positive it's a girl.

Her length is 4"

Oh, look at that! I was looking at Orthoporus ornatus a while back. However I never ended up getting one because I hadn't had any previous experience with millipedes. I had a few species of centipedes, but the care is still different in some ways. Especially diet. What are you feeding this girl?

In her habitat, she has access to organic soil, coconut husk, wood, bark, moss, as well as prepared foods such as carrots. Was told they have similar requirements as my beetles, so i gave her a try.

After doing my research, i read that they feed on bacteria and which woods they prefer. I took some previously rotting wood and moss then soaked it under water for a little while. While those soaked, i took some moist organic top soil and made the bottom layer of her habitat. This should help hold moisture, and contains lots of bacteria to help aid in the "rot" i'm hoping to achieve. While going through the soil, i found lots of small wood pieces and fibers which i'm hoping will have the bacteria she feeds on. For decorations, I made a small trench in the dirt for the moss and water logged wood, which i buried half of each in the dirt. I then covered all of the visible dirt with a half inch of damp coconut fiber.

I knew bacteria was a partial part of their diet. However what to put in its habitat to achieve the bacteria growth I am not sure on. Seems to me like it trying to get bacteria growth might eventually lead to mold growth.

Mold shouldnt happen as long as the tank isn't sealed. Her habitat has plenty of airflow so mold shouldnt start.
With the coconut fiber, it requires some light stirring every so often, but i'm hoping her grazing will be enough for that. In the past, i've only had white fuzzy mold appear on the very top layer of the cocofiber in containers that had little to no air exchange. Once i gave the layer a slight mix, the problem was gone for a while. Plus, her tank wont be constantly moist. It will have dry periods which will also help reduce the succession of mold.

The dirt should have more then enough beneficial bacteria to achieve what i'm aiming for. The great part about not using sterilized dirt is that it does have bacteria for breaking down organic materials. I am contemplating adding a little black gold/compost to her substrate. Give her a small garbage pile to graze on.

Eventually, she will be in a large tank with plenty of tank mates of different species. The tank will go from moist the desert dry as you go from one side to another, which should help with the requirements for all my communal insects. Thinking of housing her with my Darkling beetles, death feigning beetles, and camel spider. Will also be getting other insects as i go to join them.

Nice looking millipede!

Thank you. She's doing really good too!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRxGlvyjzVB/?taken-by=117colonies

nice find.. If I am going to pet an insect it would be the same as yours Texas Gold Millipede. (without the sex thing)

beautiful color and nice to play with.

congrats and say hello for me to Charles.

Yeah, I played with one at a expo. The guy eventually said, "you buying?" He was just joking, but I did have it too long. Lol

Lol, he is one of my favorite insects. Currently i have two, but am planning on adding a group to the community tank. Hopefully some mating occurs.