Portuguese millipede
Ommatoiulus moreleti
The adult Portuguese millipede lives in damp soil, lawns, gardens, and leaf litter, becoming most active during humid nights or after rain. It is a detritivore, feeding mainly on rotting leaves, fungi, and other decaying organic matter. When threatened, it coils tightly and releases pungent benzoquinone-rich defensive chemicals that can stain skin and irritate predators. This species is well known for forming large seasonal wanderings around buildings in regions where it has been introduced.
- Type
- Venom / Shell
- Conservation status
- NE