The Millipede is a many-legged Myriapod, related to the Centipede. Unlike its lesser-legged cousin, the Millipede feeds on a diet of decaying vegetation and occasionally emergent seedlings. They are considered to be one of the earliest life forms to colonise the land. Numerous species currently exist, measuring from 2mm to almost 40cm in length. Unable to bite or sting, if threatened the millipede will curl up and secrete chemicals through holes along his body. These burn the exoskeletons of invertebrates and skin and eyes of vertebrates. However, many mammalian predators - such as coati and meerkats - will roll the Millipede on the ground to clean it of the toxins and black lemurs even bite the Madagascar Fire Millipede to activate this defense mechanism, before rubbing it across their fur to act as an insecticide.
This is the Madagascar Fire Millipede. It is not uncommon in the pet trade.
Here is video of one in Perinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3PPY3v3hdg
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