Not furry either, still lovely.
Peacock Millipede
Desmoxytes planata
Also called Dragon millipede, Pink dragon millipede
From Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and the Andaman Islands; widely introduced across Asia and Oceania.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Adults reach around 3 to 4 cm in length.
Looks how to spot one
Exoskeleton with spiny lateral extensions
The body is segmented with wing-like extensions that flare out from each segment and sweep up into pink to red spines, giving it a dragon-like appearance. The exoskeleton is hard and shiny, and the overall shape is elongated and slightly flattened.2
Personality what they are like
These millipedes are peaceful and harmless to handle gently, but they do produce tiny amounts of hydrogen cyanide as a defence, which smells faintly of almonds when disturbed. They are best watched rather than handled, and they are not aggressive at all.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
They are active during the day, often seen moving on leaf litter and rocks. They do not need much space, but they do need a deep substrate to burrow and forage in.43
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep handling to a minimum and wash hands afterwards. Never seal them in an unventilated container. Provide a deep substrate of rotting wood and leaf litter, and keep it damp but not waterlogged. Cuttlebone should be available for calcium, especially during moulting.32
Home where they are happiest
A warm, humid enclosure with good ventilation is essential. Temperatures should be kept between 24 and 28°C, and humidity around 90%. Use a substrate of forest-floor mix at least 8 to 10 cm deep, loaded with white-rotted hardwood and topped with leaf litter. Heat from the side, not underneath.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
They mainly eat decaying hardwood and leaf litter, and they also enjoy fungi and the white mould that grows on rotting fruit. Vegetables, fish flake and dried herbs can be offered as extras, and cuttlebone should always be available.31
Company who they like around
They are social and do best in a group, as they breed readily and form colonies. Start with a group rather than a pair, and split the colony regularly to avoid overcrowding. They are not dangerous, but they should not be housed with animals that might try to eat them.32
The story where it all began
Desmoxytes planata was first described by Pocock in 1895, originally as Pratinus planatus. Unlike most other dragon millipedes, which are confined to one or two localities, this species has spread widely across Southeast Asia and beyond, likely carried by people with plants and soil. It is the only species of its genus that is widely kept in captivity, and it has become popular among invertebrate keepers for its striking pink colour and active nature.21
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Peacock Millipede. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Peacock Millipede?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on species, size and moult stage, so check your millipede's appetite and adjust. Offer fresh decaying hardwood and leaf litter continuously, and add extras like vegetables or fish flake a few times a week. Always keep cuttlebone available for calcium.31 Furry Diary plan
What does a Peacock Millipede eat, and what should it never eat?
They mainly eat decaying hardwood and leaf litter, plus fungi and white mould on rotting fruit. Vegetables, fish flake and dried herbs are good extras, and cuttlebone must always be available. Never feed them anything that is not listed, and avoid sealing them in an unventilated container.31
How much space does a Peacock Millipede need?
They do not need much space, but they require a deep substrate of at least 8 to 10 cm of forest-floor mix for burrowing and foraging. A warm, humid enclosure with good ventilation is essential, and heat should come from the side, not underneath.341
What temperature, light or water does a Peacock Millipede need?
Keep temperatures between 24 and 28°C with humidity around 90%. Use a damp substrate of rotting wood and leaf litter, and provide a water dish that is changed every two days according to Furry Diary's plan. No special lighting is needed, but good ventilation is crucial.31 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Peacock Millipede's home?
Spot clean weekly by removing leftover food, and do a full substrate change every 180 days as suggested by Furry Diary. Leave the millipede in peace during moulting and note it in your diary. Furry Diary plan
Can a Peacock Millipede live with others?
Yes, they are social and do best in a group, as they breed readily and form colonies. Start with a group rather than a pair, and split the colony regularly to avoid overcrowding. Do not house them with animals that might try to eat them.32
How long does a Peacock Millipede live?
They typically live between 1 and 2 years. Provide proper care with a deep substrate, high humidity and a suitable diet to help them reach their full lifespan.32
Can I handle a Peacock Millipede?
They are peaceful and harmless to handle gently, but they produce tiny amounts of hydrogen cyanide as a defence, which smells faintly of almonds when disturbed. It is best to watch them rather than handle, and if you do handle, keep it to a minimum and wash your hands afterwards.32
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- sites.google.com: desmoxytes sites.google.comused for origin, colours, habitat needs, diet basics, history
- br-choku.com: pink dragon millipede br-choku.comused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, temperament, grooming or care, social needs, history, fun fact
- postpods.co.uk: pink dragon millipede desmoxytes planata postpods.co.ukused for length cm, lifespan years, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs
- mapress.com: zt01563p036 mapress.comused for best traits, activity needs, fun fact
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.