02/05 Giant African Millipede

For this class we learned about the worlds largest millipede - the Giant African Millipede.  We learned that they eat decaying plant matter, roll into a ball if feeling threatened, can protect themselves with a stinky smell, and have lots of feet!  We talked about the differences between a millipede and a centipede and learned that millipedes are okay to pick up, but centipedes are not. 

We watched a video to highlight how slowly they move and how their feet move in a wave-like motion.  We looked a pictures of Giant African Millipedes in the wild and kept as pets or in a zoo.  The kids especially enjoyed the picture of the millipede mustache!  We read parts of a book called "Millipedeology".