Giant Millipede Diken-diken

Giant Millipede (Diken-diken Ilk)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Archispirostreptus gigas, known as the giant African millipede or shongololo, is the largest extant species of millipede, growing up to 33.5 centimeters in length, 67 millimeters in circumference.

It was a plaything when we were young,

young farmhands and oh, what a fun;

diken-diken, as we called it then,

would sleep in the warmth of our hand.

then it crawled surreptitiously out,

and we tamed another just the same.

Eureka! we pupils of Mark Twain,

discovered the opossum game. ~

NOTE: Caution to children. Don't play with the millipede. When excited it exudes cyano gas, a defense against its enemies. Although the amount is small, this poisonous gas may be allergenic to sensitive individuals. Wash hands thoroughly after working where millipedes abound.

Reference: Living with Nature Handbook - AVRotor UST Publishing House Manila 2010