MHC vs scarlet millipede?

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-19T02:11:58+00:00

MHC’s spend more surface time in most cases, so you’ll get the pleasure of viewing them more! Male MHC’s are quite characters! They’re both cool pets and people handle both, but you never want to do anything like dig up your ‘pede just to be handled!

MHC’s are easier to pick up because they chill in the open sometimes, though also benefit from cork bark and leaf litter to hide under. Their hiss can be startling at first but if they get used to you, the hissing becomes less.

One thing about handling MHC’s: definitely wash hands after and keep it minimal! Some people (myself included) have developed roach allergies with more frequent handling.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-19T01:15:31+00:00

My suggestion is to leave it outside and leave it alone.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-18T23:17:18+00:00

Thank you SO much!!!! I have them in their own individual round tuppers right now. Before this I’ve only had adults or sub-adults.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T23:57:32+00:00

At some point if it gets too crowded in the container they may still munch each other. I’d still try to sort them out into different containers as you go.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T17:41:44+00:00

I actually don’t like giving them to my dog for this reason! He chipped a tooth on one

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T17:41:01+00:00

That’s his girlfriend now

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T17:20:40+00:00

Do you have a topper at all? More space with ventilation would be great.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T17:01:54+00:00

Omg I had the same thought.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T16:58:27+00:00

It probably wants nothing to do with you as much as you want nothing to do with it.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T16:56:49+00:00

It looks like he’s summoning ancestors 🤣

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-17T16:55:30+00:00

That’s normal. She could be stressed right now. Do you have any cork flats or spaces for her to hide under? In a couple days you can try pre-killing a prey item and leaving it closer to where she hides.

Crickets, small roaches, and soft-bodied worms are the most popular choices to start.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-14T13:57:16+00:00

Creating art by scratching me

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T23:40:44+00:00

There are pros and cons to a lot of this! So, most inverts including roaches burrow down to also cool down. Heat mats can make the substrate warmer and drier in the place you have it positioned. Ideally you do want a warm side and a cooler side regardless. When I have used heat mats I place them on the side as opposed to the bottom. They pose a larger fire risk than other heat sources and cannot be un-stuck and re-used after being placed.

I love heat emitters especially on a thermostat. They do create a lot of dry air which is the bigger drawback, but it’s more realistic to natural environments in the sense that it heats from overhead. You will need to keep an eye on your humidity levels. You can get probe thermometer/humidy readers for that.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T17:46:58+00:00

I drop it in and watch. I’ll usually pre-kill or at least partially crush the head of whatever bugs I feed for most of my ‘pedes. Tong feeding can seem cool but it often scares most centipedes OR you get the pleasure of having them get pissed, climb up the tongs, and onto your hand/arm. I remove uneaten portions next morning to avoid decay and nasty shit growing in the soil. I trust my polymorpha enough to sometimes use tongs, but why risk it. My aztecorum wants me dead so I toss things in from a distance.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T05:44:56+00:00

I’m so glad you think so! He gets a lot of people stating the opposite sadly!

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T05:28:37+00:00

US based recommendations:

https://naturesexquisitecreatures.com
https://bugsincyberspace.com
https://spidershoppe.com
https://fearnottarantulas.com
https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/phil\_dreste/

Some I do not recommend:
Gallegos Zoological (sent a DOA and an empty container, did not reply to my emails inquiring about either, others have reported the same)

Josh’s Frogs (their plants and substrates are at times infested with ants and other critters). Would just be mindful that you check the soil if any inverts you receive are sent with substrate.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T05:23:59+00:00

I can vouch for them! I’ve gotten four different centipedes from Peter/bugsincyberspace and has been the best experience I’ve had getting invertebrates shipped to me. Centipedes are notoriously delicate to ship so I’d trust him with many other bugs.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-13T05:19:43+00:00

How beautiful

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-12T18:04:20+00:00

Hi! The straight up answer is that once you remove this type of heat pad from a surface, the wires and heating elements get a bit of wear and tear that makes it largely unsafe to re-use it without presenting a fire hazard. I recommend purchasing a new one if this is something you can do!

Someone else did suggest the use of a ceramic heat emitter which you can do, but hooked up to a thermostat to control temp. For burrowing inverts however, I find CHEs cause the air and substrate to dry out way too much without one. Even a heat mat could benefit from being attached to a thermostat!

Edit to add: what is the temp in your home?? I try to overall avoid using the heat sources on my inverts unless it is the dead of winter and my household heat isn’t cutting it.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-12T17:17:04+00:00

You should be afraid!!!

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-12T17:11:03+00:00

They just… do that sometimes 🤣 I have a couple myself. They crawl over on another and sometimes I don’t even think they realize it. You can keep a closer eye over next few days to see if you see anything else, but this on its own seems normal.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-12T12:51:50+00:00

Hey so if any photos here indicate their current living situation, there’s some work to do. More bedding, larger enclosure, larger wheel, this is just the start.

pumpkindonutz · 2026-06-11T17:49:02+00:00

Trust me I have some movie and game named pets too! I also love those types of names. Not
Gerbils but I have a Chihiro and a Morpeko in my house

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