Snake millipedes, like the common White-legged millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger), are harmless, segmented invertebrates with cylindrical bodies, black color, and distinctive white legs; they eat decaying plants, curl into spirals to defend against threats, and are vital decomposers in gardens and woodlands, though they can release pungent fluid to deter predators.
Key Facts About Snake Millipedes:
Appearance: Shiny black, long, cylindrical bodies with many rings (segments) and contrasting white legs.
Legs: Have about 100 legs (two pairs per body segment), not 1,000.
Diet: Primarily vegetarians (detritivores), feeding on decaying leaves, fungi, mildew, and rotting wood, helping recycle nutrients.
Habitat: Found in leaf litter, under rocks, in compost, and rotting trees in gardens and woodlands.
Behavior: Curl into a tight spiral when threatened, protecting their soft undersides.
