Richards Bay Red Millipede

Red-colored millipedes are a strange companion of nature

The diversity nature always amazes us. Sometimes colorful feathers birds, sometimes the beauty of flowers, and sometimes small insects catch our eye. The picture above shows a reddish-colored insect, which many people know as millipedes millipedes. Although they look strange, they are very beneficial animals for nature.

What is a millipede?

A millipede is an invertebrate animal whose body is made up of many parts or segments. Each segment has two pairs of legs. That is why they look very long and full legs. The color millipede in picture is reddish-orange, which is quite attractive eye-catching.

Where are they found?

Millipedes are found almost everywhere in the world. They are especially easy to see where there are rotten leaves, wet wood or piles of soil. In the picture, the millipede is seen walking on wood. There are also pieces of dry wood and soil powder around. These are their favorite environment.

Millipedes mainly survive eating dead plants dry leaves and organic matter. In this way they help fertilize soil. They break down rotten leaves into small pieces, which are then mixed with the soil create fertilizer. As result, they contribute a lot agriculture gardening.

Although they look scary, they are not harmful

Many people are afraid of millipedes. Long bodies, numerous legs - it seems that they will bite or release poison. However, to escape from enemies, they can release a mild toxic odor from their bodies. Although that odor does not harm humans, it may seem a bit annoying.

Role in nature

Millipedes can be called "nature's sweepers". Because they keep the soil clean by eating dead plants and organic waste and mixing them back into the soil. Many scientists believe that if there were no millipedes, rotten leaves would accumulate in the soil, and soil fertility would also decrease.

Benefits to human life

1. Increases soil fertility by breaking down rotten leaves and mixing them with the soil.

2. Nature's recyclers recycle organic matter.

3. Animal food Some small animals take millipedes as food.

Interesting facts

Most millipedes have between 300 and 400 legs.

When they see danger, they curl up into a round coil. This protects their soft parts.

They walk slowly, they cannot run fast.

Photo Experience

The color millipede in picture is a beautiful reddish-orange. It is more clearly visible against the wooden background. The broken wood and dry leaves around it indicate that it is in its natural environment. Its body was bent at the time of the photo, which is its natural posture of movement.

As strange as millipedes may look, they are as beneficial to nature as they are to us. They are not animals to be feared, but rather protectors of the environment. If you ever see them in the garden or yard of your house, do not be afraid and remember – they do not harm us, but rather help keep the soil fertile. Like every small creature in nature, millipedes also play an important role in keeping our world beautiful and balanced.

Device	Name
Android	oppo A95
Camera	4.71 Mm, f/1.0, (iso100)

Photography:
Location| Malaysia 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾
Short by |@aburihan

Link to original community|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/311221062

Latitude Longitude Map|

https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=3.125902&mlon=101.504848#map=12/3.1259/101.5048