Bug of the Week - Garlik
Meet this week’s featured bug, Garlik! He is a giant African millipede, the largest species of millipede. This species can grow up to a foot long! They have about 200 to 300 legs, and the number of legs can change each time they molt their exoskeleton.
Since he does not have 6 legs, Garlik is not an insect. Millipedes belong to another group called myriapods, meaning “lots of feet.”
Millipedes eat rotting leaves and wood on the forest floor. They protect themselves by curling up into a spiral shape. They can also release a bad-tasting liquid to prevent predators from eating them.
Millipedes are social, meaning they like to live in groups! We often find our two giant millipedes curled up together to rest.
They don’t bite or harm people, and we think they’re lots of fun to hold! Their hundreds of legs feel a bit like sticky velcro!
You can meet Garlik the giant millipede and lots of other fun bugs and one of our insect parties for kids!
